Red-naped Sapsucker

Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) is in the Woodpeckers family (Picidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,166 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.

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-naped Sapsucker: observations by month (U.S.)

About Red-naped Sapsucker

The red-naped sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) is a medium-sized North American woodpecker. Long thought to be a subspecies of the yellow-bellied sapsucker, it is now known to be a distinct species.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Red-naped Sapsucker by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Woodpeckers)

Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescens

Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinus

Northern FlickerColaptes auratus

Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatus

Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorus

Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus varius

Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosus

Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalus

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