Field Guide/Birds/Melanerpes carolinus

The Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus, is a medium-sized woodpecker.

Adults are mainly light grey on the face and underparts; they have black and white barred patterns on their back, wings and tail. Adult males have a red cap going from the bill to the nape; females have a red patch on the nape and another above the bill. The reddish tinge on the belly that gives the bird its name is difficult to see in field identification. They are 9 to 10.5 inches long, and have a wingspan of 15 to 18 inches.

Their breeding habitat is usually deciduous forests in southern Canada and the northeastern United States, however they may range as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas. They nest in the decayed cavities of dead trees, old stumps, or in live trees that have softer wood such as elms, maples, or willows; both sexes assist in digging nesting cavities.

These birds search out insects on tree trunks. They may also catch insects in flight. They are omnivores, eating insects, fruits, nuts and seeds.

Red-bellied woodpeckers are noisy birds, and have many varies calls. Calls have been described as sounding like "churr-churr-churr" or "chuf-chuf-chuf" with an alternating "br-r-r-r-t" sound. Males tend to call and drum more frequently than females, but both sexes call.

Interesting Red-bellied Woodpecker Facts

Red-bellied woodpeckers are attracted to noises that resonate. They tap noisily on aluminum roofs, metal guttering and even on cars to attract mates. Their annoying sound can cause dismay to a person who wishes to sleep peacefully at night. It belongs to the Picidae family and has a scientific name of Melanerpes carolinus.

Gallery

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  Red-bellied Woodpecker (male)

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  Red-bellied Woodpecker (female)

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  Melanerpes carolinus
  Male

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  Melanerpes carolinus
  Female

References

• Terres, John K. (1995). The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Random House. pp. pp. 1024-1025. ISBN 0-517-03288-0.
• Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• Interesting Red-bellied Woodpecker Facts donated by BirdHouses101.com

External links

• Red-bellied woodpecker, a bibliographic source
• USFWS
• Bird Guide, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• South Dakota Birds - Red-bellied Woodpecker Information and Photos