The Red-naped Sapsucker breeds in the mixed forests of western Canada, with the highest density in British Columbia. Results from the Breeding Bird Survey show strong fluctuations in numbers, but the overall trend in Canada is a moderate increase in the population relative to about 1970. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Though populations appear to be increasing overall, the Red-naped Sapsucker has been negatively affected by the cutting of nest trees, especially aspens, in parts of the species' range (Walters et al. 2014). Habitat degradation of riparian areas reduced available habitat in some areas of the northwestern Great Basin (Walters et al. 2014), which may explain the negative population trends in this region.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.