RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER

Melanerpes carolinus

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker is a species of the family Picidae. The woodpecker is found in the east United States and a fraction of southern Canada. The name Red-Bellied Woodpecker can be misleading, as there is only a faint patch of red on the lower belly. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers measure 10 In (20 Cm) long. They have black and white bands on their wings. The red cap stretches to the bill on males while only a portion of the head is covered on females.

They feed on insects and occasionally fruit and berries. The bird is known to hide and store food behind bark to be eaten later. Like other woodpecker species, it is helping to reduce the population of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis.)

Red-Bellied Woodpeckers nest in snags (dead or decaying trees) by boring a large hollow into the tree. The nest plays an important role to other species as they serve as homes for squirrels and other tree nesting animals.