Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Florida and as far north as Canada. Though it has a vivid orange-red crown and nape it is not to be confused with the red-headed woodpecker, a separate species of woodpecker in the same genus with an entirely red head and neck that sports a solid black back and white belly. The red-bellied earns its name from the pale reddish blush of its lower underside. 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 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 22.85 to 26.7 cm (9.00 to 10.51 in) long, have a wingspan of 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in), and weigh 2.0–3.2 oz (56–91 g).
Photo Gallery
HJ Ruiz – December 12th, 2023
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Gorgeous plumage, thanks HJ!
Thank you, Chris. Yes, It’s true! 🙂
Stunning captures HJ of a beautiful bird. It is interesting the bird is named after a feature that s barely visible. We have a similar situation here with a few birds where they are named after a feature that is only seen in their breeding plumage.
In this case, the difference with another woodpecker that has a yellow belly both have the belly just tinted. 🙂 Thanks you, Ashley!
Beautiful images, HJ
I always think that this is North America’s most beautiful bird.