Williamson's sapsucker

Their breeding habitat is open forested areas, including conifers, in the western part of North America, from British Columbia to northern Mexico. They are permanent residents in some parts of their range; migrating birds form small flocks and may travel as far south as central Mexico.

The Williamson's sapsucker is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Williamson's Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus, is a medium-sized woodpecker belonging to the genus Sphyrapicus (sapsuckers). More

Range & Distribution: In summer, Williamson's Sapsuckers breed in mountains from southern British Columbia southward to southern California and New Mexico. They winter from southern Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico southward to southern Mexico. Habitat: Inhabiting the open coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests of western North America, the Williamson's Sapsucker is considered a sensitive indicator species because of its specific habitat requirements. More

* The Williamson's Sapsucker was first described in 1852 by John Cassin, an American ornithologist. * Originally, the female was considered to be a different species and named the Black-breasted Woodpecker by Cassin. * The species took its common name from Lieutenant Robert Stockton Williamson, who was the leader of a surveying expedition which collected the first male. More

birches, while Williamson's sapsuckers focus on conifers. At other times of the year localized areas of photosynthesis such as green bark near the tips of branches, or xylem sap of semi-dormant plants is utilized. We still need to learn much more about how and when sapsuckers eat, as well as how they create and use sap wells. More

western United States, Williamson's Sapsuckers have specific nesting requirements that make the species vulnerable to loss of mature forest habitat. Current population trends in New Mexico are uncertain. More

Williamson's Sapsuckers breed in dry, open, conifer forests in mountainous regions, especially along rivers and in areas with western larch. They appear to be most successful in conifer forests with many different species of trees. During their migration they use a wide variety of habitats, and in winter they often use broadleaved forests, especially along rivers and streams. More

Williamson's sapsucker on tree Williamson's sapsucker on tree Our Most Beautiful Protector On our first trip to New Mexico, my wife and I spent our first day at Bandelier National Monument. Most of the day we wandered about the cliff dwellings built by the ancestral Pueblo, even putting aside our fear of heights to climb the wooden ladders to a kiva high in the cliffs. More

The male Williamson's Sapsucker has a black head, breast and back; white facial stripes, bright red throat, and large white wing and rump patches. Its lemon-yellow belly is bordered with black and white barred flanks. The female is very different with a brown head, dark brown and white zebra stripes above and on flanks, large dark bib, and smaller, less brilliant yellow area on its belly. More

Williamson's Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus, is a medium-sized woodpecker belonging to the genus Sphyrapicus (sapsuckers). Habitat Their breeding habitat is open forested areas, including conifers, in the western part of North America, from British Columbia to northern Mexico. They are permanent residents in some parts of their range; migrating birds form small flocks and may travel as far south as central Mexico. Description Adult males are iridescent black on their head, back, sides and tail. More

the right depicts a Williamson's Sapsucker on a pine tree with sapsucker wells shown at the top of the photo. Habitat: Found in mountainous conifer forests during the summer breeding season. Winters in lower-elevation pine and pine/oak forests. Diet: Eats many insects and tree sap, and also feeds on fruits and berries. Behavior: Drills typical sapsucker wells, taking both sap and trapped insects from the wells. More

The Williamson's sapsucker's habitat includes ponderosa pine forests and open coniferous forests in the north. In the warmer climates of the southwest they are found in sub-alpine forests. Go to the home page.Go to the thumbnail image page for this category.Go to the main gallery index.Purchase a print of this image Copyright 2005 Dean M. Chriss Content may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission. More

Distribution: Williamson's Sapsuckers breed in forested regions throughout the western United States, except for the coastal areas and Southwest. In Physiographic Area 62, populations are concentrated along the eastern edge of the Rockies and in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, with smaller numbers in appropriate habitat throughout the area. They winter from northern Arizona and northern New Mexico south into central Mexico. Habitat Requirements: Williamson's Sapsuckers nest primarily in ponderosa pine and in aspen components of mixed-conifer. More

Male Williamson's Sapsucker: showing off that yellow belly! Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) Male Williamson's Sapsucker. Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) Male Williamson's Sapsucker taking a bath in the outflow of a mountain spring. Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) female Female Williamson's Sapsucker in typical habitat on Mt. Charleston. Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) female Female Williamson's Sapsucker at the top of a dead tree. Notice the barred back and brownish color. More