The Red-Bellied Woodpecker

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a medium sized bird measuring approximately 10 inches from beak to tail. Its back and wings are distinctly barred in black and while. There is some variation in the chest and belly but all are pale in color. The colors can range from buff to grey or even a pale pink. The only clear distinction between the male and female is the red crown. Males have reddish marking around its bill and a red crown that extends to the nape of its neck. The female will have red markings on her nape but the red crown is absent. Both the male and the female have sharp, silver-grey beaks.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is fairly common throughout the Southeastern United States. They are non-migratory staying in the same territory throughout the year. But in recent years their range is expanding northward. The few that have moved northward move to the southern most part of their range during the colder months.

As with most woodpeckers, the Red-bellied Woodpecker prefers mature deciduous forests, but it can also be found in tree covered swamplands, mixed forests, groves, orchard and suburban parks and residential areas.

Like most woodpeckers, the male Red-bellied Woodpecker drums to catch the attention of a potential mate. It will drum on hollow limbs of trees, utility poles, chimneys, even gutters. The more the material resonates, the better. It can be annoying after awhile.

Once the pair has mated, they work together to build a nest. As with all woodpeckers, the Red-bellied Woodpecker is a cavity nester. The next site is excavated five to seventy feet from the ground in a dead or dying tree. When ready the cavity is close to a foot deep and lined with woodchips. The female lays three to eight eggs and both parents take a turn incubating the eggs. The eggs usually hatch twelve to fourteen days later. Again, both parents work together to feed the hungry little ones.

They fledge at twenty-five to thirty days.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is an omnivore. The bulk of its diet is made up of beetles, grasshoppers, ants and other insects. They bore into the bark of dead trees for some but readily search the ground for others. It will also feed on acorns, beechnuts, seeds, and fruit. When the weather is cold and the insects scarce, they have no qualms about belling up to the birdfeeder. Like many of the North American woodpeckers, the Red-bellied Woodpecker will squirrel away food for the lean and mean days of winter.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker, is very vocal. The most common call is a loud, rolling churr-churr-churr with an alternating br-r-r-r-r-t sound. They also make a softer kek-kek-kek sound.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker has extended its breeding range over the last 100 years, and its population is increasing throughout most of it.

The Little Guy
The Downy Woodpecker

Big Brothers

The Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker
The Red-headed Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker
The Northern Flicker

The Illusive One

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker

The Mischief Maker
Woody Woodpecker