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Williamson's Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus thyroideusOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)

Breeding Location:

Forests, coniferous, Mountains



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Loose colonies



Breeding Population:

Fairly common to uncommon



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

3 - 7



Incubation Days:

12 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Few wood chips in tree.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Williamson's Sapsucker: Medium-sized woodpecker with black back and white rump. Bright red throat, breast is black, belly is yellow, and flanks are barred black-and-white. Black head has two white facial stripes. Black wings have large white shoulder patches. Tail is black, legs and feet are gray.

Range and Habitat

Williamson's Sapsucker: Breeds from southern British Columbia south to southern California, central Arizona, and central New Mexico. Spends winters in the southern part of breeding range and in the southwest. Ponderosa pine forests, open coniferous forests, and subalpine forests in the southwest are preferred habitats.

Breeding and Nesting

Williamson's Sapsucker: Three to seven white eggs are laid in a cavity in a pine or fir tree; although nesting trees are reused, a new hole is chiseled each time. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Williamson's Sapsucker: Feeds on sap, bark cambium, ants, wood-boring larvae, and moths of spruce budworms; drills holes in trees, returning to feed on seeping sap.

Readily Eats

Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Sugar Water, Fruit

Vocalization

Williamson's Sapsucker: Call is a soft, nasal "churrr" that descends in pitch.

Similar Species

Williamson's Sapsucker: Three-toed, Hairy and Downy woodpeckers lack bold, white wing patch, red chin, and yellow wash on belly.

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Family
Species Sphyrapicus thyroideus
Length9 Inches
Wingspan17 Inches

Williamson's Sapsucker

Williamson's Sapsucker: Medium-sized woodpecker with black back and white rump. Bright red throat, breast is black, belly is yellow, and flanks are barred black-and-white. Black head has two white facial stripes. Black wings have large white shoulder patches. Tail is black, legs and feet are gray.

● Song: "churrr"

● Foraging & Feeding: Williamson's Sapsucker: Feeds on sap, bark cambium, ants, wood-boring larvae, and moths of spruce budworms; drills holes in trees, returning to feed on seeping sap.

● Breeding & nesting: Williamson's Sapsucker: Three to seven white eggs are laid in a cavity in a pine or fir tree; although nesting trees are reused, a new hole is chiseled each time. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Williamson's Sapsucker: Three-toed, Hairy and Downy woodpeckers lack bold, white wing patch, red chin, and yellow wash on belly.

Flight Pattern

Alternates several rapid shallow wing beats with short glides.
Williamson's Sapsucker Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Williamson's Sapsucker: Breeds from southern British Columbia south to southern California, central Arizona, and central New Mexico. Spends winters in the southern part of breeding range and in the southwest. Ponderosa pine forests, open coniferous forests, and subalpine forests in the southwest are preferred habitats.
BreedingMonogamous, Loose colonies
PopulationFairly common to uncommon
MigrationMigratory
Weight1.7 Ounces