Red-breasted sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber)

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Photo by Brian38

Published on Project Noah

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47.2725, -122.026

Field Notes

Description:

This was so much fun to watch. A Red-breasted sapsucker was taking sap from a rather small tree and would occasionally fly over to a sign (pics 3 and 4) and begin drumming to mark or indicate his or her territory. Sexes are alike. The upper chest and head are red on adults. The belly is white. Back, wings and tail are mostly black with white patches. These woodpeckers are about robin size.

Habitat:

Spotted at Flaming Geyser State Park near the Green River.

Notes:

Range from southeast Alaska to northern California.

Reference Links:

Red-breasted sapsucker - Wikipedia

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (25)

Brian38

Thank you Tukup and armadeus.4 for your kind comments.

Liana

Congratulations on your SOTW Brian! Thank you for sharing :)

Tukup

Congratulations on the well-deserved SOTW Brian. Interesting design it leaves behind. Nice when you can watch for a bit instead of just a fleeting glimpse and time for a quick shot or two. Thanks for sharing.

Brian38

Thank you Mark and António for your kind words.

AntónioGinjaGinja

Great series Brian,i find amazing how they build that "structure" to suck the sape,it's the first time i se this,very inteligent.Congrats on the well deserved SOTW and thanks for sharing

Mark Ridgway

Congratulations Brian.

Brian38

Thank you i_munasinghe for your kind words.

Irandi Munasinghe

Congratulations Brian!! Great spotting!

Brian38

Thanks, Mark and Leuba for your kind comments. I visit this park often -- so Ill keep up on the status of the tree. I can't imagine it will survive.

Brian38

Thank you, Michael and PN. It is always an honor. Thank you ornithoptera80. , Saturniidae27, SukanyaDatta, Jae, Neil Ross, and Single D for your kind comments.

Single D

Congratulations on your spotting of the week.

Neil Ross

Congratulations, Brian. A much-deserved SOTW. I wonder if trypophobes have woodpeckers as pets?

Jae

Cheers, Brian!

SukanyaDatta

Congratulations, Brian.

Saturniidae27

Congrats Brian 🎉. Keep up the great work :-)

Ornithoptera80

Congratulations Brian.

Michael

Hi Brian38, Your spotting has been voted Spotting of the Week! Thank you for sharing this stunning woodpecker spotting with the Project Noah community! https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/pb.10150120463815603.-2207520000../10163822275890603/?type=3&theater https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/1274109911639654405

Brian38

Thank you António for the nomination.

AntónioGinjaGinja

“Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!”

Brian38

Thanks, Neil. They damage trees often to the point of no return and if they don't kill it -- the ensuing insects and fungus will.

Neil Ross

Such a cool spotting. Do they ever kill the tree? Gorgeous bird!

Brian38

I'm amazed at how they keep such perfect vertical rows. Imagine the insects and fungus this attracts. They certainly have their place in the forest.

Mark Ridgway

Wow! Even if does damage I have to admire it's work. Quite the artist.

Brian38

Thank you, Leuba. This species is well known for destroying trees.

Leuba Ridgway

At least he's not ring barking the tree ! Great photo Brian38.