Scientific Name: Sphyrapicus ruber

Residency: Year-round in the west coast states and western Canada. Arizona is not considered to be within this species’ range.

Diet: Drinks sap from shallow holes drilled in trees. Also forages for insects and fruit.

Predators: Humans: this species was considered an orchard pest and was shot. Now the species is protected and populations appear to be stable. However, localized populations are at risk owing to forestry practices.

Nesting: Creates a nest hole in dead tree, or dead branch, or spot that is weakened by fungus. Main breeding habitat is coniferous forest, but it may also use deciduous, riparian, and orchard habitats. Lays one brood per year, consisting of 3-7 white eggs.

Nesting Records:

Notes: Hybridizes with Red-naped Sapsucker (which is native to Arizona) where the two species’ ranges overlap. An interesting note about inter-species dependency: the sapsucker holes may be used by Rufous Hummingbirds and other hummingbird species, who come to depend on the sapsucker for this food source, especially in early spring when the hummingbirds are migrating north.

Photo: Photo at right was taken at Coon Bluff on January 5, 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.

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