Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
The adult red-bellied woodpecker is a medium-sized woodland bird common in forests, parks, and suburban areas of the eastern United States. It climbs tree trunks with zygodactyl feet and stiff tail feathers, probing bark for insects while also eating nuts, acorns, fruit, and sometimes visiting feeders. Adults drum on resonant wood or metal to claim territory and communicate, and they excavate nest cavities used later by other animals. Despite the name, the reddish belly is often faint, while the bold barred back and red head markings are much easier to notice.
- Type
- Wing
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
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- Red-bellied Woodpecker