The only sapsucker regularly found in western Oregon, the Red-breasted sapsucker, with its raspberry-red head and breast, is unmistakable. It is found in moist coniferous coastal forest and mixed deciduous-coniferous coastal forest west of the Cascade crest, and in aspen-ponderosa pine forests east of the Cascades. Nest cavities are typically in large snags or live trees with decayed interiors.

It is a fairly common breeder in the northern part of the state from the coast to the Cascades and south to the southern Cascades.

Hear the call of the Red-breasted sapsucker

Photo by Darla Marie Prater