On 5 July 1982 I photographed and observed an albinistic Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) for 20 min, 200 m east of the dam on Lake Almanor, Plumas County, California, elevation 1380 m. Gross (Bird-banding 36:67–71, 1965) reported 48 records of albinism among 10 species (and subspecies) in the family Picidae, although he did not indicate whether any were Sphyrapicus. I am not aware of any previous records of albinism for this species.
The bird was a juvenile with all-white plumage except for a faint red-orange cap. Carotenoid pigments, which produce reds, oranges and yellows, are resistant to albinism (Sage, Brit. Birds 55:201–225, 1962). Typical of albino birds, legs and bill were ivory-colored, and eyes were bright pink.