A common medium-sized woodpecker named for the subtle reddish wash on its belly — most people see only the bright red cap and black-and-white "zebra" back.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The red-bellied woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Florida and as far north as Canada. Though it has a vivid orange-red crown and nape it is not to be confused with the red-headed woodpecker, a separate species of woodpecker in the same genus with an entirely red head and neck that sports a solid black back and white belly. The red-bellied earns its name from the pale reddish tint on its lower underside.
Source: Wikipedia — Red-bellied woodpecker Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Pale gray face and underparts, a black-and-white barred 'zebra' back, and a red cap (full crown on males, nape only on females). The namesake reddish belly wash is usually hard to see.
Similar species. Red-headed Woodpecker has an entirely red head and solid black back; Red-bellied has a barred back and only a red cap/nape.
Voice. A rolling, throaty 'churr' or 'quirr' and a chuckling 'cha-cha-cha'.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects (especially wood-boring beetle larvae), some fruits and seeds.
Behavior. A common, vocal woodpecker of eastern woodlands and suburbs; caches food in bark crevices and readily visits suet feeders. Has expanded its range northward.
§ Range
Eastern US year-round; expanding north
§ Habitat
Eastern deciduous forests, suburban yards with mature trees
§ Threats
Forest fragmentation, competition with non-native starlings for nest cavities.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the red-bellied woodpecker is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Maintain mature trees. Install starling-proof nest boxes. Leave dead branches.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Red-bellied woodpecker
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Melanerpes carolinus
- IUCN Red List — search for Melanerpes carolinus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Melanerpes carolinus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
