Red-breasted Sapsucker vs Williamson's Sapsucker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

Small55 gWoodland

Adults have a red head and upper chest, with a white lower belly and rump. They are black on the back and wings with bars and have a large white wing patch. The northern birds, subspecies S. r. ruber, have yellow bars on the back and yellow upper belly. The southern birds, subspecies S. r. daggetti, have white bars on the back and a pale belly. The wing barring is white in both variants. These birds make various noises; their vocalizations include a variety of chatter, squeals, and scream-like calls, and they also drum with their bills on various surfaces.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Kevin Cole from Pacific Coast, USA (en:User:Kevinlcole) · CC BY 2.0

Williamson's Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus thyroideus

Small48 gForest

Adult males are iridescent black on their head, back, sides and tail. They have a white stripe behind the eye and a lower white stripe across each side of the head, a red chin and a bright yellow belly. They have black wings with large white patches. The female is completely different in appearance: mainly black, with a pale yellow breast, a brownish head with black streaking and fine barring on the back, breast and sides. Originally, the female was considered to be a different species and named the black-breasted woodpecker by Cassin. Measurements: Length: 8.3–9.8 in (21–25 cm) Weight: 1.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wendy McCrady · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Red-breasted Sapsucker and Williamson's Sapsucker.