Skip to main content

Redbellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

Photo by HeatherMiller
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

33.7748, -84.2963

Field Notes

Description:

Red "mow hawk" on head, and a light orange/brown/red spot on the bellie near the legs. The black and white shoulder and back feathers make this bird blend in with tree trunks. The black and white on the lower back and tail feathers has a different pattern than the ripple look on the upper back and shoulders.

There is a distinctive knock knock knock occasionally.

Habitat:

This dead and dying tree attracts this bird and at least one other larger bird.

Notes:

They will peck at the tree, especially in the evening. In the morning, it seems they just look for bugs or sap (I assume) that are on the tree trunk from overnight. This bird chases away other birds that are on the tree when it arrives. This particular tree is a favorite, and is visited every couple of days or more.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)

What adorable shots. Looks soooo cute!
Thank you Ursula. He visits frequently but he is shy and goes to the other side of the tree where I cannot see him. I hear him often. But I see him only once in a while.
We call Woodpeckers in Slovenia "detel" :) Nice shot!
Alice - they are a bit on the shy side for me too. But this tree is a red-bellied woodpecker favorite and it is high enough that they feel safe enough to circle the trunk hunting for food. It is a dead pine tree, and I imagine filled with insects and what nots that are just a woodpecker's delight.
My red-bellied Woodpeckers all try to hide from me. I like your first picture and the Fall leaves around it.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon