242. Red-breasted Sapsucker

Most years, Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) is an occasional visitor to Leaning Oaks, but a few times over the years this species has been on the property for extended periods and over the breeding season.  Sapsuckers (there are 4 species in BC) feed on tree sap that they harvest by drilling net arrays of holes through the bark and into the cambium of a tree.  Here the tree of choice is Douglas-fir and one of our trees has an large area of sapsucker wells on the trunk about 8 m off the ground.  The sap attracts insects, which are also used as food by the sapsucker.  Some winters, especially those with pronounced cold snaps, we have an influx of Red-breasted Sapsuckers.  

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