Red-breasted Sapsucker

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The Red-breasted Sapsucker is the West Coast variant of the more general sapsucker family. As the name implies, sapsuckers bore into sap producing trees looking for both sap and any insects in the area.

They are shy birds, but can be approached by humans when they get use to their presence. Most Red-breasted Sapsuckers spend their summers in higher elevation forests near rivers and streams. They move down to valleys during winters.

Hummingbirds often like to hang out by trees tapped by the sapsucker, looking for some free sap. The picture above shows a red-breasted sapsucker on a branch that has its uniform sap hole patterns.

© 2005 Patricia A. Michaels.