Birdsong field guide
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
A medium-sized woodpecker of the eastern United States, easily identified by its black-and-white zebra-patterned back and vibrant red cap.
What it sounds like
A loud, rolling 'kwirr' or 'churr' sound, along with a percussive, repetitive drumming.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- The eponymous red belly is actually a small, pale blush that is often difficult to see in the field.
- Its tongue is barbed and can extend nearly two inches past its bill to extract insects from deep crevices.
- This species is a frequent visitor to backyard feeders, showing a particular fondness for suet and sunflower seeds.
- They practice food caching, wedging nuts and seeds into tree bark to consume during the winter months.
- Red-bellied Woodpeckers can drum at a rate of 19 beats per second to establish territory and attract mates.
Habitat
Deciduous forests, oak-hickory woodlands, and mature suburban parks.
Range
Eastern United States, ranging from the Atlantic coast west to the Great Plains and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Similar & commonly confused birds
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusBeautiful WoodpeckerMelanerpes pulcherBlack-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes pucheraniGila WoodpeckerMelanerpes uropygialisGolden-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysogenysGolden-fronted WoodpeckerMelanerpes aurifronsGolden-naped WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysauchenGray-breasted WoodpeckerMelanerpes hypopolius
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