Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pic à ventre roux
Melanerpes carolinus
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Species: The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is an eastern North American bird species, whose western and northern ranges are expanding more every year. This woodpecker is becoming a more common visitor and is seen at birdfeeders in the winter months, in Canada.
Distinctions: The male and female are almost identical. The difference being that the male has a complete red crown and nape, whereas, the female only has a red nape. Although the Red-bellied Woodpecker received its name for having a red belly, the red is very difficult to see as it is located between its legs. Both sexes have black and white uniform barring down their backs and wings.
Voice: Has more of a call than a song, the male communicates to the female by drumming on dead twigs, limbs or hollow branches.
Nesting: Four to five white eggs, one to three broods per year, depending on the regions of the birds. Larger broods generally takes place in the more southern regions. Nests are located in tree cavities which are also used as their roost.
Life, Habitat and Pictures of North American Woodpeckers
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.25" 23.5cm | 16" 40.6cm | 2.2oz 63.4g | Picidae | Melanerpes carolinus |
North American Bird Calls
- Click to hear Choice 1
- Click to hear Choice 2
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
Distribution: Non-migratory, although they may move during the winter months in search of food. Found throughout forests and forest edges. Seen from southeastern Quebec, through the lower parts of Ontario into the central USA states and on to eastern Texas, to the Florida tip and north.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
