How can you tell a sapsucker from a woodpecker?

Sapsuckers and woodpeckers may look similar at first glance, but they are actually quite different birds. There are several ways you can distinguish a sapsucker from a woodpecker.

Appearance

The most noticeable difference in appearance between sapsuckers and woodpeckers is the coloration. Sapsuckers have striking black and white plumage accented with red on the head and throat. Males have a red forehead and crown, while females have a white forehead and some red on the throat.

In contrast, woodpeckers do not have the bold black and white coloration. Most woodpeckers found in North America have primarily black, white, and brown plumage. The exception is the red-headed woodpecker which has a bright red head.

Some of the most common woodpeckers include:

• Downy woodpecker – black and white with spots on the wings and striped head
• Hairy woodpecker – looks like a larger downy woodpecker
• Red-bellied woodpecker – pale red belly
• Red-headed woodpecker – bright red head and neck
• Pileated woodpecker – mostly black with a red crest

The striking plumage of sapsuckers makes them easier to identify compared to the more subdued woodpeckers.

Size

Sapsuckers tend to be smaller in size than many woodpeckers. The yellow-bellied sapsucker measures 7.1–8.7 in (18–22 cm) in length and has a wingspan of 13.4–15.8 in (34–40 cm). They weigh 1.5–1.9 oz (42–54 g). Other sapsucker species are very similar in size.

In comparison, downy woodpeckers measure 6.3–7.1 in (16–18 cm) in length with a 9.8–11.8 in (25–30 cm) wingspan and weigh 0.9–1.1 oz (25–32 g). Hairy woodpeckers are larger, measuring 9.1–10.6 in (23–27 cm) long with a 15.7–18.1 in (40–46 cm) wingspan. They weigh 2.1–3.4 oz (60–96 g).

Larger woodpeckers like the pileated can get up to 19 in (48 cm) long with a wingspan of 26–30 in (66–76 cm) and weigh 8–12 oz (230–340 g).

While size ranges can overlap, sapsuckers are generally a bit smaller than most woodpeckers.

Beak shape

Sapsuckers and woodpeckers do share the same chisel-like bill shape; however, sapsucker beaks are a bit more slender and elongated.

A woodpecker’s bill tends to be shorter, thicker, and more dagger-like. Their beaks are built for hammering away at wood. A sapsucker’s bill is better adapted for drilling into tree bark to access sap.

Behavior

Sapsucker behavior is quite different from woodpeckers.

Woodpeckers spend most of their time hammering away at tree trunks and branches to excavate nest cavities or search for insect prey hidden deep within the wood. The noise of their constant pecking is a distinctive feature.

Sapsuckers do not hammer on trees constantly like woodpeckers. Sapsuckers will drill orderly rows of small holes into the bark of trees to access sap. They also eat insects off the bark. The patterns of their feeding holes are unique to sapsuckers.

Habitat

Although the habitats of sapsuckers and woodpeckers overlap in forests across North America, they tend to prefer slightly different forest compositions.

Sapsuckers frequent mixed wood forests that contain deciduous trees like birch, maple, and alder. This provides them access to sap that they need.

Woodpeckers are found in a wider variety of forest types including both deciduous and coniferous. Conifer forests provide more nesting and shelter opportunities for woodpeckers.

Distribution

Sapsuckers and woodpeckers have slightly different distributions in North America.

The yellow-bellied sapsucker has the widest breeding distribution of any sapsucker, breeding across Canada and the northeastern to upper Midwestern United States. Other sapsucker species have more western distributions.

Woodpeckers have a wider distribution overall across North America. Different woodpecker species can be found almost everywhere in the United States and through most of Canada and Mexico. Woodpeckers are absent only from far northern Canada.

So while woodpecker ranges are more extensive, sapsuckers have a more limited distribution centered on the northern forests of the continent.

Migration

Sapsuckers and woodpeckers also differ in their migration habits.

Most woodpeckers do not migrate and instead remain resident year-round throughout their range. Some northern species like the yellow-bellied sapsucker migrate south for the winter.

Sapsuckers that breed in Canada and the northern United States will migrate to the southern United States or Mexico for the winter months before returning north in the spring to breed again.

So in summary:

• Woodpeckers stay put year-round
• Sapsuckers migrate south for the winter

Drumming

During the breeding season, woodpeckers communicate and establish territory by drumming on objects. Drumming creates a loud, rapid knocking sound. The pattern and speed of the drumming is unique to each woodpecker species.

Sapsuckers do not drum like woodpeckers do. Sapsuckers may use a light tapping sound to communicate, but they do not create the fast, repetitive drumming patterns. Drumming behavior is distinctive to woodpeckers.

Nesting

Cavity nesting behavior provides another distinction between these two groups of birds.

Woodpeckers nest in tree cavities they excavate themselves. This nesting strategy is unique to woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will drill out a deep cavity in a dead tree trunk to access the softer inner wood. Their nests are located inside these hollowed out cavities.

Sapsuckers also nest in tree cavities; however, they rarely excavate their own nest sites. Sapsuckers most often use existing natural cavities or old abandoned woodpecker holes. Sapsucker nest cavities are typically more shallow as well.

Feeding Behavior

The feeding behaviors of sapsuckers and woodpeckers also set them apart.

As their name implies, sapsuckers feed heavily on tree sap which they access by drilling orderly rows of small holes into tree bark. Their tongue has tiny bristles perfectly adapted for lapping up sap.

Woodpeckers focus on excavating wood to find insects to eat, like beetle larvae that burrow deep inside. Woodpeckers use their long barbed tongue to extract insects from the holes they peck.

Here is a comparison of their diets:

There is some overlap, but sapsuckers consume more sap while woodpeckers focus on wood-dwelling insects.

Species

There are just 4 species of sapsuckers in North America compared to over 20 species of woodpeckers.

The four sapsucker species are:

• Yellow-bellied sapsucker
• Red-naped sapsucker
• Red-breasted sapsucker
• Williamson’s sapsucker

Some of the most common and widespread North American woodpecker species include:

• Downy woodpecker
• Hairy woodpecker
• Red-bellied woodpecker
• Red-headed woodpecker
• Pileated woodpecker
• Northern flicker
• Lewis’s woodpecker
• Acorn woodpecker
• Gila woodpecker

Conclusion

Sapsuckers and woodpeckers may appear similar, but they belong to different taxonomic groups within the Picidae woodpecker family. Sapsuckers are in the genus Sphyrapicus while woodpeckers make up several other genera like Picoides, Colaptes, and Dryocopus.

While sapsuckers drill sap wells and lick up sap, woodpeckers chisel away at wood in search of insects to eat. Sapsuckers are migratory while most woodpeckers are permanent residents. Plumage also differs with sapsuckers having bold black, white, and red coloration and woodpeckers being more modestly patterned.

In summary, the main differences that allow identification of sapsuckers compared to woodpeckers include:

• Distinctive plumage patterns
• Smaller size
• More slender bill shape
• Unique sap feeding behavior
• Shallower nest cavities
• Migratory habits

With a little practice, birders can quickly tell apart a sapsucker from the many woodpecker species when out in the field. Both groups play an important role in the ecosystem as tree-dwelling birds. Sapsuckers and woodpeckers enrich the biodiversity of North America’s forests.