This lifeform is found in the Pacific States and Provinces of North America.

Red Breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber or sometimes S. varius ruber) breeds from Alaska south to northern California. The bright red head and breast help identify this species. It measures eight to nine inches.

Sphyrapicus genus (Sap suckers) are a group of woodpeckers that drill a series of holes into a tree.  They then visit them later to feed on both the sap and the associated insects.

Woodpeckers (Family Picidae) are a family of 210 species containing 179 species of the familiar woodpecker and some other primitive birds. Most of the species in this family are adapted to searching for food in the wood of trees.

Woodpeckers and Toucans (Order Piciformes) are separated from
most other birds by an unusual tendon and foot arrangement that
includes two forward and two rear pointing toes. There are six
families in this order. Most species in this order have unusual
bills adapted for their unique way of obtaining food.

Aves contains about 8,650 different species of living birds known to science. Each year about one new species is discovered in some remote rain forest or remote island. In addition, scientists have been raising many subspecies to full species status which may raise the species count to 10,000.

However, each year about one species goes extinct. The rate of extinction is increasing, and the rate of new discovery is decreasing, so that the number of bird species will soon begin to decline rapidly. Although different taxonomists would organize the birds differently, there are approximately twenty-seven orders of birds. These orders are broken down into about one hundred and fifty-five different families.

Recent research of the genetic structure of some of the shore birds and owls would indicate that the present organization of orders and families should have some modification.

The birds are a worldwide group of animals that are characterized by having the front limbs modified into wings that are used for flying. Perhaps the most unique feature of the birds is the feathers. These feathers are made up of a central support called a quill and a series of small filaments that are hooked together as barbs.

For many years it was believed that Archaeopteryx discovered in Bavaria was the oldest bird from about 150 million years ago.  However, in l986, Sankar Chattterjee, a Texas paleontologist, reportedly discovered a bird in the genus Protoavis that lived about 225 million years ago.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.