Red-bellied Woodpecker Bird Facts (Melanerpes carolinus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-bellied Woodpecker features a striking black-and-white zebra-like pattern on its back, with a pale buff underside. Its most distinctive feature is the bright red nape extending to the crown in males, while females have red only on the nape.

Despite its name, the red belly is often difficult to see, appearing as a faint pinkish wash on the lower abdomen. The bill is long, sharp and black. Legs are grayish-green, and eyes are a deep brownish-red.

Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage and less extensive red on the head.

Size

Length

23cm to 26cm

Wingspan

38cm to 46cm

Weight

56g to 91g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Red Black White

Secondary Colour

Buff

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-bellied Woodpecker can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-bellied Woodpecker can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-bellied Woodpecker can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are found throughout the eastern United States, from the Great Plains to the Atlantic coast. They inhabit deciduous and mixed forests, wooded suburbs, swamps, and orchards. Their range has been expanding northward in recent decades.

These woodpeckers are year-round residents across their range, with some individuals in northern areas moving short distances south during harsh winters. They are particularly common in the southeastern United States.

Elevation Range

Up to 900 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-bellied Woodpecker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Mexico

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Canada United States of America

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

The Bahamas

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are highly agile climbers, adept at spiralling up tree trunks and manoeuvring along branches. Their ability to hang upside down to access food sources demonstrates exceptional dexterity.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not the strongest woodpeckers, they possess considerable strength for their size. Their ability to excavate nest cavities in dead trees and extract insects from bark indicates robust physical capabilities.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These woodpeckers show remarkable adaptability, thriving in various habitats from deciduous forests to urban areas. Their diverse diet and ability to use bird feeders further showcase their adaptiveness to changing environments.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are generally not overly aggressive, but they do defend territories and compete for nesting sites. Their increasing population suggests they can hold their own against competitors.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

As year-round residents capable of withstanding harsh winters, these birds demonstrate good endurance. Their ability to maintain territories and forage extensively throughout the day indicates solid stamina.

Diet

Red-bellied Woodpeckers follow an omnivorous diet that includes insects, fruits, nuts, and seeds. They use their long, barbed tongues to extract insects from tree bark and crevices.

Larger prey is also frequently caught, including small birds, lizards and amphibians. They forage for fruit, acorns, pecans, hazelnuts, and beech nuts, both on the floor and among the branches of trees, and small pieces of hard mast may be stored in natural tree crevices as a future winter supply. Sap may also be eaten.

These adaptable birds also frequent bird feeders, showing a particular fondness for suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

Behaviour

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are agile climbers, often seen spiraling up tree trunks or along branches in search of food. They are known for their habit of storing food in bark crevices, sometimes covering their cache with bark flakes.

These woodpeckers are generally non-migratory and maintain territories year-round.

Vocalisation

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are vocal birds with a variety of calls. Their most common vocalization is a rolling 'churr' or 'quirr' sound, often repeated.

During the breeding season, they produce a loud, rattling call that sounds like 'kwirr kwirr kwirr'. They also communicate through drumming on resonant surfaces year-round, which becomes more intense during the breeding season.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Red-bellied Woodpeckers typically begins in late spring. Males initiate courtship by drumming and calling to attract females. Pairs often remain together for several breeding seasons.

These woodpeckers excavate nest cavities in dead trees or large branches, usually 5-20 meters above ground, taking around 2 weeks to complete. The female lays 3-5 white eggs in the unlined cavity. Both parents share incubation duties.

Incubation lasts about 12 days, and nestlings fledge after 24-27 days. Parents continue to feed and care for the young for several weeks after they have fledged.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are currently of Least Concern due to their stable population trends and large range. However, they face challenges from habitat loss due to urbanization and competition with invasive species like European Starlings for nesting cavities.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving mature forests and promoting urban green spaces.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

16,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Zebra-backed Woodpecker

Family:

Picidae

Average Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Max Lifespan

20 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include hawks, owls, and snakes. Raccoons and squirrels may prey on eggs and nestlings in tree cavities.

Did You Know?

Despite their name, Red-bellied Woodpeckers have only a faint red tinge on their bellies, often hard to see.
They can stick out their tongues nearly 2 inches beyond their beaks.
These woodpeckers sometimes drink from hummingbird feeders by hanging upside down.

FAQs

What are the benefits of Red-bellied woodpeckers?

Despite being seen by some as a pest species due to their hammering and drilling habits, red-bellied woodpeckers are good to have around. They control insect populations by feasting on bugs and play an important role in the wider food chain, with their eggs and nestlings serving as prey for several predators.

The cavities they drill in trees are hugely beneficial to many other wildlife species that are unable to excavate their own hollows but require a safe chamber in which to lay their own eggs and raise their young.

In addition, as fruit and seed eaters, red-bellied woodpeckers play a key role in biodiversity, dispersing seeds and subsequently regenerating plant-rich habitats.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Melanerpes carolinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680856A92882598.
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3 4
website, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
2
website, 2022: Partners in Flight
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