red-bellied woodpecker

1. Bird Name
The fluorescent hues and affable nature of the bird in focus today, the Red-bellied Woodpecker are the spotlight of our article. The scientific name for it is Melanerpes carolinus.

2. Appearance
Characterized by an attractive amalgamation of colors, the Red-bellied Woodpecker sports a strong black and white pattern on its wings and back. Its tail displays faint hues of red. Its most distinguishing feature is its bold, brashly crimson crown stretching from the nape down to the beak. The colour tapers off to a softer red on their bellies, hence the name. The throat and the lower parts of its body are gray-white. The males have a distinct full red head whereas females bear a red nape and gray crown. Their inquisitive eyes are black and the strong, chisel-like beak guides them in their regular pecking antics.

3. Size
In body length, these birds traditionally measure around 22-26 cm (9-10 inches). Their wingspan can go up to 38-46 cm (15-18 inches). Weighing between 56-91 g (2-3 oz), their compact size doesn’t stop them from being skillful fliers.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Red-bellied Woodpeckers are primarily inhabitants of North America, majorly seen thriving within forested habitats comprising deciduous trees like oak and hickory. They can also be spotted in orchards, parks, yards, and even in shrubby clearings. They are prominent in the eastern United States with the Mississippi River as the western boundary and also extend to central Texas and along the Gulf Coast.

5. Interesting Facts
When it comes to their tactical maneuverability, they can be spotted hitching around tree limbs and trunks, probing into bark crevices with that specialized beak. Unlike other Woodpeckers, they are known for stashing nuts for winter seasons. Another interesting fact is that they are known for their interspecies aggression tendencies, often driving others away from a food source.

6. Diet
Their diet is fairly diverse. Though they find a hearty amount of sustenance from insects, beetles and ants, they also feast on fruits, acorns, and berries. In winter, nuts, seeds, and suet make up for a significant part of their diet.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The Red-bellied Woodpeckers are not shy about making themselves heard. Best known for their loud, rolling, churr-churr-churr call, they’re one of the most vociferous forest inhabitants. They also make a throaty chiv-chiv-chiv sound when flying. They nest in hard timber or deadwood, often excavating their homes about 5 to 50 feet off the ground.

8. Conservation Status
IUCN Red List places the Red-bellied Woodpecker in the category of “Least Concern” as the population trend appears to be increasing.

9. Lifespan
This species of Woodpecker lives up to an average of 12 years in the wild. There’s no report of their lifespan in captive conditions, considering they primarily exist in wild settings.

10. Additional Notes
In some places, people colloquially refer to these birds as “Red-headed Woodpecker”, mixing them up with another, distinctly different, red-headed species. They are bizarrely unreserved around humans, occasionally visiting bird feeders for seeds or suet. They have a pivotal role in the ecosystem, helping control pests and encourage forest health by feeding on insects. At times, other birds take over their old drilling holes for their nests, orchestrating a subtle symphony of habitat recycling.