Red-bellied Woodpecker
A zebra-backed woodpecker named for a faint belly wash, not the far more obvious red on its head.
Artwork inspired by A. E. Backus
Red-bellied woodpeckers live in deciduous woods, parks, and mature neighborhoods, eating insects, fruit, seeds, and nuts. They climb trunks and branches but also catch insects in the air and cache food in bark crevices.
The stronger clues are the black-and-white barred back, pale face, sturdy bill, and red crown extending to the nape on males but limited to the nape on females. Avoid filling cavities or removing snags during nesting season. Year-round; drumming and calling increase before nesting.
- Best clue
- Zebra-barred back
- Male
- Red crown to nape
- Habit
- Caches food
Quick guide
- Listen
- Rolling churr call
- Search
- Mature trees near feeders
Separate Red-bellied Woodpecker from look-alikes
- First impression
- Read barred black-and-white back when identifying Red-bellied Woodpecker.
- Confirm in detail
- Compare red crown or nape together with mature trees near feeders before accepting the identification.
- Where to expect it
- Use Eastern North American woodlands and suburbs in Eastern North American woodlands and suburbs as habitat context and check Year-round; drumming and calling increase before nesting.
- Watch without pressure
- Watch active cavities from a distance and keep playback off, especially while adults are feeding nestlings.
Good to know
The tongue can extend well beyond the bill and has adaptations for probing insects from tight spaces.
Notice these
- Barred black-and-white back
- Red crown or nape
- Pale face
- Chisel bill