Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) is a medium-sized woodpecker. Photo taken west of Victor, Montana near Bear Creek.

This sapsucker has a black head with a red forehead, white stripes and a red spot on the nape. The lower belly and rump are white. The breast and upper belly are a pale yellow. The back and wings are black with “messy” white bars and have a large white wing patch. Adult males have a red throat patch; for females, the lower part of the throat is red, the upper part is white. The body length is 7.5-8.3 inches long and they usually weigh about 1-2.3 ounces.

True to their name, and like other sapsuckers, they drill holes in trees and eat the sap as well as insects attracted to it.

Featured Oct 2010

Shot with Canon 40D, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 800