Red-bellied Woodpeckers

By Charlie • May 1, 2008 • 4 comments

Red-bellied Woodpeckers Melanerpes carolinus
Eastern North America

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are found in the eastern half of the United States, extending from the wooded portion of the Great Plain states to the Atlantic coast and from the Gulf of Mexico to southern portions of Ontario and northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York. Populations appear to be increasing throughout most of the range as it is able to adapt to the environment provided by spreading suburbs in many areas. There are an estimated 10,000,000 Red-bellied Woodpeckers across the geographic range, but in many areas it is often evicted from nest holes by the European Starling: in some areas, half of all Red-bellied Woodpecker nesting cavities are taken over by Starlings.

There are slight differences between northern and southern populations: Florida birds, according to the Sibley Guide, average smaller with less white in the tail, and males have brown foreheads rather than red ones - though the forehead of the male in the last two photos (taken in Miami) does appear to be red…

Female, Central Park, New York

red-bellied woodpecker
Female, Central Park, New York

red-bellied woodpecker
Male, Central Park, New York

red-bellied woodpecker

red-bellied woodpecker
Male, Cranford Park, Miami, Florida

All photos copyright Charlie Moores

Tags: miami, new york, woodpeckers

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About the Author

Charlie

Charlie works for an airline and has birded all over the world for twenty years. He wants to be a writer, and thinks no-one would believe his life could be so charmed if he didn't take photos of as many of the birds he sees as possible. Blogging with 10,000 Birds fits his aims, needs, and insecurities perfectly. Really - do birders get much more fortunate than this?

4 Responses to “Red-bellied Woodpeckers”

Gregorey May 20th, 2009 at 7:25 pm

hi charlie in seagul i seached the red-bellied woodpecker and i loved it could you email me some facts about the red-bellied woodpeck?

Thank you,
Gregorey Edwards
Charlie May 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 am

Hi Gregorey, thanks for your comment. To be very honest most of what I know is up on this post already. I suggest googling and see what comes up - there is plenty of information available, and hopefully you’ll find what you’re after. Charlie
Bo Schimers Nov 29th, 2009 at 11:20 am

Just had a female crash into my patio window. (I had put out peanuts and sunflower seeds) Seemed dead for about 5 minutes - then gradually roused herself and flew off after 15 minutes. Yesterday, I saw her land right on-top of a Blue Jay sitting on our fence. Didn’t seem shy at all! What a tough bird.
Corey Nov 29th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

@Bo: If you witness such a thing again, and the bird doesn’t quickly recover, feel free to check out this page for advice on how to help an injured bird.

They are tough birds though, aren’t they?

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