Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) is in the Woodpeckers family (Picidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 11,035 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Red-breasted Sapsucker: observations by month (U.S.)
About Red-breasted Sapsucker
The red-breasted sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) is a medium-sized woodpecker of the forests of the west coast of North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Red-breasted Sapsucker by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,987 | January | Sep–Mar |
| Oregon | 2,859 | March | Sep–Jul |
| Washington | 2,658 | June | Sep–Jul |
| Alaska | 357 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Nevada | 89 | May | Apr–Nov |
| Arizona | 57 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Colorado | 13 | December | Dec–Jan |
| Idaho | 8 | January | Dec–Feb |
| New Mexico | 5 | November | Oct–Dec |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Woodpeckers)
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Red-breasted Sapsucker?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from December to November.
Where is Red-breasted Sapsucker most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.