Red-bellied Woodpecker

About

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker native to the eastern United States. Despite its name, the red on its belly is often difficult to see in the field, appearing as a faint wash. Its most striking features are the black-and-white barred back and the extensive red on the head of the male.

Size & lifespan

Length

22-27 cm (8.7-10.6 in)

Wingspan

38-46 cm (15-18 in)

Weight

56-91 g (2.0-3.2 oz)

Lifespan

Up to 12 years in the wild

Diet

Omnivore, primarily insects, nuts, seeds, and fruits

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have a black-and-white barred (zebra-like) pattern on their back and wings. The underparts are pale gray to buffy white, with a faint reddish wash on the lower belly, which is often hard to discern. The rump is white. The tail is black with white barring on the outer tail feathers.

Beak shape

Strong, chisel-like, black bill.

Eye color

Dark brown

Leg color

Grayish-black

Distinguishing features

Black-and-white barred back, pale underparts, and red on the head (extent varies by sex). The faint red belly patch is often not visible.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adult females but have duller plumage, less distinct barring, and a brownish wash on the head and underparts. The red on the head is often absent or very limited, appearing as a faint orange-red on the nape.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes.

Sexual dimorphism

Males have a full red crown extending from the forehead to the nape. Females have red only on the nape and a patch at the base of the bill, with a gray crown. Both sexes have the faint red belly wash.

How to identify

1. 1

   Back Pattern

   Look for the distinctive black-and-white barring across the entire back, resembling a zebra pattern. This is a key field mark that distinguishes it from most other woodpeckers in its range.

2. 2

   Head Coloration (Sex-specific)

   Males have a full red cap from the forehead to the nape. Females have red only on the nape and a small patch above the bill, with a gray crown in between. This is the most reliable way to sex them.

3. 3

   Underparts and Belly

   The underparts are pale gray to buffy white. While named 'Red-bellied', the reddish wash on the lower belly is often very faint and difficult to see in the field, so do not rely on this feature alone.

4. 4

   Vocalizations

   Listen for its characteristic rolling 'churr-churr-churr' or 'kwirr-kwirr-kwirr' call, and sharp 'kip' notes. These calls are quite distinctive and often heard before the bird is seen.

5. 5

   Size and Shape

   It's a medium-sized woodpecker with a relatively long, chisel-like bill. Its overall size is larger than a Downy but smaller than a Pileated.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Deciduous forests, mixed forests, suburban areas, parks, orchards, and riparian woodlands.

Geographic range

Eastern United States, from southern Canada south to Florida and the Gulf Coast, and west to the Great Plains. Its range has been expanding northward in recent decades.

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to approximately 600 meters (2,000 feet).

Preferred environments

Mature woodlands with large, dead or decaying trees for nesting and foraging. They adapt well to human-modified landscapes with sufficient tree cover.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

Forages by gleaning insects from bark, probing crevices, and excavating wood. Also consumes a significant amount of plant material, including acorns, nuts, seeds, and fruits. Known to store food in crevices. Will visit bird feeders for suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs, especially during the breeding season. May gather in small groups at abundant food sources or feeders.

Flight pattern

Undulating flight pattern, typical of woodpeckers, with several rapid wing beats followed by a short glide on closed wings.

Migration pattern

Primarily a year-round resident throughout most of its range. Northern populations may exhibit some short-distance, irruptive movements in response to food availability, but generally not considered migratory.

Territoriality

Territorial, especially during the breeding season, defending nesting and foraging areas. Both sexes participate in territorial displays and vocalizations.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically April to July, with peak activity in May and June.

Nesting habits

Nests in cavities excavated in dead or decaying trees, stumps, or large branches. Both sexes participate in excavating the nest hole, which is usually 6-30 meters (20-100 feet) above the ground. They may reuse old cavities or excavate new ones each year.

Clutch size

3-8 eggs, usually 4-5.

Egg description

3-8 (typically 4-5) pure white, smooth, glossy eggs, oval to elliptical in shape, measuring about 24 x 18 mm.

Incubation period

12-14 days, shared by both parents.

Fledging period

24-27 days after hatching. Young are fed by both parents.

Parental care

Both male and female incubate eggs and feed the nestlings. Males often roost in the nest cavity overnight during incubation and brooding.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for Calls. Their loud, rolling calls are often the first indication of their presence. Learn to recognize the 'churr-churr-churr' or 'kwirr-kwirr-kwirr' and sharp 'kip' calls.
2. Watch Bird Feeders. They are frequent visitors to suet feeders, especially in winter. Placing suet out can attract them to your yard.
3. Scan Tree Trunks. Look for them climbing up tree trunks, probing bark crevices, or excavating holes. They often work their way up a tree before flying to the base of another.
4. Look for Drumming. In spring, listen for their drumming, which is a rapid, accelerating series of taps on resonant branches or utility poles.

Similar species

Quick facts

Primary Diet:

Insects, nuts, seeds, fruits

Habitat:

Deciduous and mixed forests, suburban areas

Status:

Year-round resident in most of its range

Distinguishing Mark:

Black-and-white barred back

Vocalization:

Rolling 'churr-churr-churr' call

Fun facts

• The 'red belly' is often so faint that it's rarely seen in the field, leading many birdwatchers to wonder about the origin of its name.
• Red-bellied Woodpeckers are known for storing food, especially acorns and nuts, in crevices in bark or fence posts for later consumption.
• They are one of the few woodpecker species that can catch insects in flight, though this is not their primary foraging method.
• Their range has been expanding northward in recent decades, likely due to climate change and increased availability of bird feeders.
• Like many woodpeckers, they have a long, barbed tongue that can extend far beyond the tip of their bill to extract insects from deep crevices.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Piciformes

Family

Picidae

Genus

Melanerpes

Species

Melanerpes carolinus

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