Red-bellied Woodpecker
Today’s post is about a woodpecker that is not from my backyard, the photographs are from my trips to west Florida.
The Red-bellied Woodpeckeris a medium-sized woodpecker. It breeds in southern Canada and the northeastern United States, ranging as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas. Its common name is somewhat misleading, as the most prominent red part of its plumage is on the head; the Red-headed Woodpecker however is another species that is a rather close relative but looks quite different. ( That species I have as resident near my backyard)
Red-bellied Wodpecker
Adults are mainly light gray on the face and underparts; they have black and white barred patterns on their back, wings and tail. Adult males have a red head-side 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.
These birds mainly search out arthropods on tree trunks. They may also catch insects in flight. They are omnivores, eating insects, fruits, nuts and seeds. Their breeding habitat is usually deciduous forests. 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. Areas around nest sites are marked with drilling holes to warn others away.
Click on images to see enlargements
Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Amazing shots H.J. When you say medium sized – is he about 6 – 7in? He appears to be quite small.
The bird is about that size (6-7″) but when I shot the pictures the woodpecker is approx.. 30ft up a palm tree and to get the better angle I had to move back another 20 ft or so. hand holding the telephoto. It may look very small but it’s not.
They’re smart too, going around the trunk to hide from view If you get closer.
Those are indeed amazing shots. And yes they are smart. Nice H.J. Love your work!
Great shots, H.J.
Thank you Bob! 🙂
Amazing phographs and information – thank you AV!
Than you Julie for your visit and comment! 🙂
Beautiful, as long as they make their home in a tree far away so that I’m unable to hear it!!!
🙂
These are wonderful shots!!
Thank you for your comment! 🙂
On my birding excursion last weekend, I saw Downy, Nuttall’s, and Acorn woodpeckers, as well as red-breasted sapsucker. I was a happy birder!
I would have been happy if I saw them too! 🙂