{"id":4742,"date":"2022-10-07T22:20:57","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T22:20:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=4742"},"modified":"2022-10-07T23:52:13","modified_gmt":"2022-10-07T23:52:13","slug":"red-breasted-sapsucker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2022\/10\/07\/red-breasted-sapsucker\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Breasted Sapsucker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Keisha Long<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Red Breasted Sapsucker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Order: Piciformes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family: Picidae<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genus: Sphyrapicus<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species: S. ruber<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Identification<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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The Red Breasted Sapsuckers (RBSS) main identification characteristic is its bright red head and breast. In its southern range it is possible to see a slight pattern of black and white on the head but they will always have more red than the other similar sapsucker species. (eBird) The body is mostly black across the back and wings with gold or white barring, white coverts which are very eye catching against its black wings, and they have a white\/tan underbelly. (Sibley) Females and males can be differentiated due to the fact that males tend to have more red, and females have more white. Adults can also be seen with a small white patch just above the bill while juveniles typically have a brown head and breast but otherwise similar features to adults. It is important to note that the red breasted sapsucker is very similar in appearance to the red-naped sapsucker and yellow-bellied sapsucker. Until 1983 they were all considered the same species (allaboutbirds) due to their likeness. Keep an eye out for how far the red feathers extend down the breast, the red naped sapsucker will have some red just under its chin with red, white, and black colouration on its head. The yellow-bellied sapsucker will have far less red than either the red breasted or red naped species but be cautious: areas where their range overlaps it is likely to encounter hybrids of all three of these sapsucker species. (Sibley)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another unique identifier of the RBSS is its pecking pattern. While most wood peckers will have an even consistent taptaptaptaptap <\/em>drumming, the RBSS has an irregular Morse code like pecking pattern (Audubon) more like taptaptap<\/em>–tap-taptap-tap.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Juvenile in front of adult RBSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Check out this video to hear the RBSS’s unique drumming!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qw_psDLXklY<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mating<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Excavating nest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Caring for hatchlings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Imagine it\u2019s mating season and you\u2019re a female waiting to be courted by a handsome gentleman. You see a suave male across the canopy swaying and pointing his bright red head and bill upward (Audubon) which catches your interest, so you call back. Your eyes meet. Next thing you know he\u2019s screaming and flying full speed towards you; you try to “run” but he chases you through the trees and branches (allaboutbirds). He doesn\u2019t let up. You admire him for his persistence, so you let him catch up. You decide he has proved himself worthy to be your mate for this breeding season\u2026. but next year he will have to prove himself again as you may or may not choose to have the same mate.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RBSS mate once per year yielding 5-6 eggs. Both parents work together to build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the hatchlings. Similar to the adult diet the hatchlings are fed sap, insects and fruit for 23-28 days until they are ready to leave the nest and learn how to become a true sapsucker. (Audubon) Once the hatchlings are ready to leave the nest the parents spend the next 10 days teaching them how to drill wells and obtain sap and hunt the insects that are attracted to the sap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Making sap wells<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Birding Community<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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eBird has recorded over 244,000 observations of the RBSS! By adding observations from people all over the world, organizations like eBird can compile data to track population growth or decline. They can track migration patterns and dispersal as well as share photos and sound recordings for other bird enthusiasts to enjoy and learn from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Distribution and Conservation<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Using climate models and observation data, predictions have been made as to how climate change will eventually impact red breasted sapsucker populations. As of now the RBSS range and population is stable along the pacific coast. The models show that once the average temperature increases by 1.5\u00b0C the species will become much more vulnerable with 66% of their range lost. Even more devastating than that is if average temperatures rise by 3.0\u00b0C the RBSS population will be at extreme risk with 93% of their range lost. (Audubon) Small amounts of new habitat will be gained as their range extends north to combat the changing climate but it is in no way enough to make up for the habitat lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Deforestation and logging still need to be researched to determine the impact on RBSS nesting sites due to their specific nesting tree requirements. (Joy, 1998) There was a recorded instance of a pair of RBSS\u2019s nesting in a wood utility pole in Oregon, (Helm, 2007) situations like that should make you wonder why that pair of birds were pushed out of their natural habitat and what can we do differently to protect them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Checkout this link to see red breasted sap sucker featured in this article about protecting the Tongass National forest which is home to many species <\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/news\/biden-administration-restore-protections-alaskas-tongass-national-forest <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Current climate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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+1.5 degrees<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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+3.0 degrees<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Habitat<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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RBSS move short distances in winter in comparison to other sapsucker species making them the least migratory of the sapsuckers. (Audubon) After breeding in mountainous habitats they tend to travel south or towards the coast for winter. (allaboutbirds)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thicker tree diameter favoured <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Red breasted sapsucker is common in mixed forests along the pacific coast. They thrive in areas blended with pine, coniferous and deciduous trees which provide a suitable habitat that fits their needs for feeding and breeding. (allaboutbirds) During winter, aspen groves are favoured and in summer hemlock and spruce with a mixture of other deciduous trees are where red breasted sapsuckers call home. (Audubon)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RBSS\u2019s choose tall trees for nesting, but also trees that are thick enough to provide enough insulation. On Vancouver Island nests have been found in Western white pine, Hemlock and Douglas fir trees. (Joy, 1998) These sapsuckers exclusively nest in dead trees where both sexes work together to excavate a nest hole. When picking a nest spot the pair must weigh the pros and cons of tree height, diameter and risk of predation. As tree height increases the diameter of the tree decreases so they have to find that sweet spot where the tree is thick enough to house a clutch of 6 young and keep them insulated during freezing temperatures while also high enough (averaging about 17m off the ground) to avoid predators. (Joy, 1998) It is common to see RBSS\u2019s return to the same tree the following year but they will excavate a new nest hole in the same tree. (Audubon)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ecosystem Services<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

RBSS\u2019s serve multiple roles in ecosystem services that many other species rely on. When sapsuckers drill holes in trees they aren\u2019t only feeding themselves – they are feeding other birds, insects and even mammals as well. (allaboutbirds) Not only do their sap wells feed other species but the RBSS nests also provide nesting spots for other species (Joy, 1998) such as nuthatches, chickadees (other various song birds) and even squirrels. RBSS provide a foundation for the \u201cnest web\u201d community within mixed forest ecosystems, about 25%-30% of vertebrates nest in tree cavities (Mahon, 2008) but not all species have to the tools to excavate their own nest holes. By providing safe housing for other species the RBSS are helping preserve diversity within forest communities. Similar species such as the yellow bellied sapsucker has been referred to as a keystone species due to its many important roles within its mixed forest ecosystem. (Squires, 2018)<\/p>\n\n\n

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Studies have been done surrounding how crucial sapsuckers can be specifically for hummingbird populations. In early spring when flowers haven\u2019t bloomed and nectar isn\u2019t available yet, hummingbirds rely on sap from sapsucker wells as a source of energy. (Miller, 1982) This commensal relationship between hummingbirds and sap suckers may be a determining factor for timing of hummingbird distribution as well as range. Without this energy source that sapsuckers provide, hummingbird species would either need to wait longer to travel before mating season or find an alternative energy source. (Miller, 1982) Hummingbirds have actually become territorial over trees with sap wells since they provide a crucial and convenient energy source early in the season that allows them to exploit an area they wouldn\u2019t have been able to before. (Sutherland, 1982)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Now that you know how incredible Red Breasted Sapsuckers are, you’ll be asking “IS IT REAL!?” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the video below to see a RBSS gather a crowd in downtown Vancouver<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1lg-V0rZUaU<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

References<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joy, J. B. (1998). Characteristics of nest cavities and nest trees of the red-breasted sapsucker in coastal montane forests. Journal of Field Ornithology<\/em>, 71<\/em>(3), 525\u2013530. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1648\/0273-8570-71.3.525<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahon, C. L., Steventon, J. D., & Martin, K. (2008). Cavity and bark nesting bird response to partial cutting in northern conifer forests. Forest Ecology and Management<\/em>, 256<\/em>(12), 2145\u20132153. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foreco.2008.08.005<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miller, R. S., & Nero, R. W. (1983). Hummingbird\u2013sapsucker associations in northern climates. Canadian Journal of Zoology<\/em>, 61<\/em>(7), 1540\u20131546. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1139\/z83-207<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nesting red-breasted sapsuckers<\/em>. BirdNote. (2020, May 9). Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https:\/\/www.birdnote.org\/explore\/field-notes\/2014\/06\/nesting-red-breasted-sapsuckers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red-breasted sapsucker – ebird<\/em>. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https:\/\/ebird.org\/species\/rebsap<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red-breasted sapsucker overview, all about birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology<\/em>. Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Red-breasted_Sapsucker\/overview<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red-breasted sapsucker<\/em>. Audubon. (2022, May 5). Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/red-breasted-sapsucker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Squires, K. A., & Bunnell, F. L. (2018). Early breeders choose differently \u2013 refining measures of habitat quality for the yellow-bellied sapsucker (sphyrapicus varius), a keystone species in the Mixedwood Boreal Forest. PLOS ONE<\/em>, 13<\/em>(9). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0203683<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sutherland, G. D., Gass, C. L., Thompson, P. A., & Lertzman, K. P. (1982). Feeding territoriality in migrant rufous hummingbirds: Defense of yellow-bellied sapsucker (sphyrapicus varius<\/em>) feeding sites. Canadian Journal of Zoology<\/em>, 60<\/em>(9), 2046\u20132050. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1139\/z82-263<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Keisha Long Identification The Red Breasted Sapsuckers (RBSS) main identification characteristic is its bright red head and breast. In its southern range it is possible to see a slight pattern […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4660,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4660"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4742"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4826,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4742\/revisions\/4826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}