The Red-naped Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker that occurs regularly in Arizona, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of the state. It is closely related to the Yellow-bellied and Red-breasted Sapsuckers, and in fact was once considered the western subspecies of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker before being recognized as a distinct species.
Red-naped Sapsuckers are about 7–8 inches (18–20 cm) long. They are striking birds with a black-and-white patterned back, a red cap, and a bold black-and-white facial pattern. Both males and females show a red throat, but the red is more extensive and brighter in males. The species is best distinguished from its close relatives by the combination of red on the nape (back of the neck), white wing patches, and the extent of red on the head and throat.
In Arizona, Red-naped Sapsuckers breed in montane forests, especially in aspen groves, riparian corridors, and mixed conifer stands in the higher elevations of the Mogollon Rim, White Mountains, and the Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona. During migration and in winter, they descend to lower elevations and are often found in orchards, parks, and even suburban yards with suitable trees. They are the most commonly encountered sapsucker in Arizona.
Like other sapsuckers, they drill neat rows of sap wells in trees to feed on sap and insects attracted to it. Willows, aspens, and cottonwoods are especially favored. They also eat fruit and insects directly. Their habit of drilling sap wells provides food resources for other birds and insects, making them ecologically important.
Red-naped Sapsuckers are considered common to fairly common in suitable habitats in Arizona. They are migratory, with most individuals breeding in the state’s higher-elevation forests and wintering further south into Mexico. Their population is currently stable, and they are listed as a species of Least Concern.
