Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis), full front - grid24_12
A young Red-naped Sapsucker on one of our apple trees in winter.

Red-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis

Reproduction in the Red-naped sapsucker

The Red-naped sapsucker prefers to nest in almost any kind of tree but prefers riparian trees bordering forest.

Diet of the red-naped sapsuckers

The Red-naped sapsucker has a very varied diet. This includes various insects, sap, cambium, and fruits. Sap is acquired by drilling sap wells lots of little holes that the tree bleed sap out of. The sap sucker eats this sap as well as the insects that are attracted to it.

the red-naped sapsucker can be found in oaksNiche filled by the Red-naped sapsucker

This species of sapsucker uses a wide variety of trees and is not too closely linked to one species and therefor is not as sensitive to habitat availability.

Habitat/Plant communities used by the Red-naped sapsucker

In California the Red-naped sapsucker inhabits more arid climates. In the summer it prefers riparian and coniferous forest habitats.

Creosote scrub Joshua tree woodland

Shad scale scrub

Pinyon-juniper woodland

Riparian

Migratory status of the Red-naped sapsucker

The Red-naped sapsucker moves into the warmer desert riparian areas of California during the winter.

How to attract the Red-naped sapsucker to your garden

If you live in or near this birds rang just plant some lager native trees and this would probably be enough. Remember not to remove dead wood as it is used for nesting.

Range of the Red-naped sapsucker

The Red-naped sapsucker inhabits the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of southern California in the winter.

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Sap sucker, Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) - grid24_12
A close up of the Red-naped Sap Sucker
Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) - grid24_12
The back of the Red-naped Sap Sucker
This picture of the Red-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis, was a little dirty window blurred but he was so close! - grid24_12
Looking at the Red-Naped Sapsucker through the window as he(she?) was trying to figure out what I was.
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Edited on Feb 10, 2013. Authors:
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