Sphyrapicus ruber

(Gmelin, 1788)

Red-breasted Sapsucker

G5Secure Found in 252 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103568
Element CodeABNYF05020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPiciformes
FamilyPicidae
GenusSphyrapicus
Other Common Names
Chupasavia Cabeza Roja (ES) Pic à poitrine rouge (FR) red-breasted sapsucker (EN)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Constitutes a superspecies with S. varius and S. nuchalis (AOU 1998). Based on mating preference and effective reproductive isolation, S. ruber and S. nuchalis were regarded as distinct species by Johnson and Johnson (1985). Despite the near genetic identity of ruber and nuchalis based both on allozymes (Johnson and Zink 1983) and mtDNA sequences (Cicero and Johnson 1995), the latter authors cited the mating preference study as sufficient reason to regard the two taxa as distinct biologic species.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-09
Change Date1996-12-02
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Range Extent Comments
BREEDS: southeastern Alaska, western and central British Columbia, south to northwestern and east-central California and extreme western Nevada; locally in mountains of southern California and southern Nevada, possibly in western Arizona. WINTERS: southwestern British Columbia south through most of California to northern Baja California (AOU 1983).
Ecology & Habitat

Description

See Devillers (1970) and Dunn (1978) for detailed information on identification.

Habitat

Aspen-pine association and coniferous forest, including humid coastal lowlands; in migration and winter also in open woodland and parks (AOU 1983). Nests in trees; bores its own nest-hole cavity.

Reproduction

Clutch size usually is 5-6, sometimes 4-7. Incubation, by both sexes, probably lasts about 12-14 days.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedSuburban/orchard
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
OregonS4Yes
AlaskaS5BYes
WashingtonS4Yes
CaliforniaS4Yes
ArizonaS1NYes
NevadaS3Yes
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS5BYes
Roadless Areas (252)
Alaska (43)
AreaForestAcres
AnanTongass National Forest36,666
Behm IslandsTongass National Forest4,777
Bering LakeChugach National Forest965,076
ChichagofTongass National Forest555,858
Chilkat-West Lynn CanalTongass National Forest199,772
Copper River WetlandsChugach National Forest85,972
Douglas IslandTongass National Forest28,065
DukeTongass National Forest45,091
EudoraTongass National Forest195,022
Freshwater BayTongass National Forest44,933
FrostyTongass National Forest39,941
Game CreekTongass National Forest54,469
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
Green RocksTongass National Forest11,093
HardingTongass National Forest174,349
Hoonah SoundTongass National Forest79,764
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
Juneau UrbanTongass National Forest101,581
Juneau-Skagway IcefieldTongass National Forest1,187,268
KartaTongass National Forest52,117
KogishTongass National Forest65,216
KosciuskoTongass National Forest64,134
LindenbergTongass National Forest25,855
MadanTongass National Forest68,553
Mansfield PeninsulaTongass National Forest54,991
Middle KruzofTongass National Forest14,724
Neka BayTongass National Forest7,142
North BaranofTongass National Forest314,089
North KruzofTongass National Forest33,146
North KupreanofTongass National Forest114,660
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
Port AlexanderTongass National Forest120,681
RedoubtTongass National Forest68,347
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
RhineTongass National Forest23,010
Sheridan GlacierChugach National Forest224,683
Sitka SoundTongass National Forest13,459
Sitka UrbanTongass National Forest112,003
Soda BayTongass National Forest78,091
South KruzofTongass National Forest55,193
Suemez IslandTongass National Forest19,903
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
Tenakee RidgeTongass National Forest20,527
California (136)
AreaForestAcres
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Bald MountainTahoe National Forest5,832
Barker ValleyCleveland National Forest11,940
Bell MeadowStanislaus National Forest7,968
Benton RangeInyo National Forest9,637
Birch CreekInyo National Forest28,816
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
Black ButteMendocino National Forest15,461
Blue Creek Rare ISix Rivers National Forest12,134
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
Callahan FlowModoc National Forest6,618
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest8,209
Caples CreekEldorado National Forest17,854
Carson - IcebergStanislaus National Forest56,430
Castle PeakTahoe National Forest14,974
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
Chineese Camp (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,339
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
Coyote NorthInyo National Forest11,932
Coyote SoutheastInyo National Forest53,159
Crane Mtn.Modoc National Forest1,269
Crystal CreekSan Bernardino National Forest6,783
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest1,249
Cucamonga BSan Bernardino National Forest11,933
Cucamonga CSan Bernardino National Forest4,106
Cutca ValleyCleveland National Forest14,530
DardanellesEldorado National Forest8,110
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Devils GardenLassen National Forest3,335
Dexter CanyonInyo National Forest17,053
Dinkey LakesSierra National Forest34,171
Dobie FlatModoc National Forest15,079
DomeStanislaus National Forest11,085
Domeland Add.Sequoia National Forest3,046
Duncan CanyonTahoe National Forest8,621
EagleStanislaus National Forest16,116
East YubaTahoe National Forest17,968
FalesHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,138
Fish CanyonAngeles National Forest29,886
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest52,072
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Granite ChiefTahoe National Forest6,546
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest28,226
GrindstoneMendocino National Forest26,031
Grouse LakesTahoe National Forest19,085
Heart LakeLassen National Forest9,349
Hoover - Green Ck NoHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest7,155
Hoover - Mt.olsenHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest624
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Hoover - Virginia LksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,050
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest8,969
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
HortonInyo National Forest5,717
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Jennie LakeSequoia National Forest2,388
JohnsonKlamath National Forest10,652
JuncalLos Padres National Forest12,289
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
La BreaLos Padres National Forest14,031
LaddCleveland National Forest5,300
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
Lakes BasinTahoe National Forest557
LavasModoc National Forest25,864
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Long MeadowHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,967
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest15,542
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
Middle YubaTahoe National Forest7,379
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
Mill PeakSan Bernardino National Forest7,884
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Mt. BidwellModoc National Forest11,687
Mt. EddyShasta-Trinity National Forest7,232
Mt. OlsenInyo National Forest2,161
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
Mt. VidaModoc National Forest7,771
NessieInyo National Forest830
NightStanislaus National Forest3,173
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest38,495
North Fork Middle Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest11,245
North LakeInyo National Forest2,406
Orleans Mtn.Klamath National Forest49,090
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
ParsnipModoc National Forest8,485
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
Raymond PeakEldorado National Forest2,518
Raymond PeakStanislaus National Forest3,646
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest11,373
RinconSequoia National Forest54,610
Robinson PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,835
Rock Creek WestInyo National Forest3,626
Rouse HillSan Bernardino National Forest13,745
San DimasAngeles National Forest7,160
San Gabriel AddAngeles National Forest2,527
San JoaquinSierra National Forest22,474
San SevaineSan Bernardino National Forest6,866
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest21,182
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest51,362
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest4,254
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest106,910
Sheep MountainAngeles National Forest21,098
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
Sill HillCleveland National Forest5,294
SinkardHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,004
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
Slate Mtn.Sequoia National Forest12,299
SoldierModoc National Forest10,102
SoliderSix Rivers National Forest14,918
South ForkShasta-Trinity National Forest16,786
South SierraSequoia National Forest8,008
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
Table Mtn.Inyo National Forest4,215
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
Tioga LakeInyo National Forest829
Tragedy - Elephants BackEldorado National Forest20,866
TuleAngeles National Forest9,861
West GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest37,516
West Walker (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest495
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
Wild Cattle MtnLassen National Forest4,965
Wild Horse Mtn. (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,822
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest41,445
Nevada (6)
AreaForestAcres
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - GalenaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,711
Rose - Thomas Mdw.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest358
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
West Walker (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,683
New Mexico (2)
AreaForestAcres
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
Oregon (31)
AreaForestAcres
Badger CreekMt. Hood National Forest847
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
Castle Rock AppendageUmpqua National Forest4,649
Charlton ButteWillamette National Forest3,031
Crane MountainFremont National Forest23,096
DoneganUmpqua National Forest5,914
EagleMt. Hood National Forest16,841
Echo MountainWillamette National Forest8,098
French Pete (a)Willamette National Forest1,668
Hebo 1aSiuslaw National Forest13,930
Jackson Creek AppendageUmpqua National Forest4,673
LakeMt. Hood National Forest1,327
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
Limpy RockUmpqua National Forest6,782
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest26,432
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest18,401
Mt. Hood AdditionsMt. Hood National Forest13,061
Opal CreekWillamette National Forest5,417
Salmon - HuckleberryMt. Hood National Forest17,570
Skimmerhorn AppendageUmpqua National Forest1,820
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Twin LakesMt. Hood National Forest6,055
W. BoundaryWinema National Forest2,345
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
Waldo - LakeWillamette National Forest2,993
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
Wind CreekMt. Hood National Forest5,438
WoahinkSiuslaw National Forest5,309
Washington (34)
AreaForestAcres
Big Lava BedGifford Pinchot National Forest19,043
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
BourbonGifford Pinchot National Forest4,512
Canyon CreekWenatchee National Forest7,983
Dark DivideGifford Pinchot National Forest52,483
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak IMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest15,175
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Glacier Peak LMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,084
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Green MountainOlympic National Forest4,617
Heather LakeWenatchee National Forest10,628
Higgins MountainMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest13,185
Jefferson RidgeOlympic National Forest6,512
Jupiter RidgeOlympic National Forest10,148
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
LightningOlympic National Forest7,179
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest16,873
Mt. Baker WestMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest25,390
Mt. BaldyOlympic National Forest3,557
Mt. ZionOlympic National Forest3,544
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
PompeyGifford Pinchot National Forest23,985
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
South QuinaultOlympic National Forest11,081
Spencer RidgeGifford Pinchot National Forest5,880
Twin LakesWenatchee National Forest22,496
References (32)
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