Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus. Insects, nuts, seeds and fruit.
Woodpeckers (Picidae)Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinus
- Scientific name
- Melanerpes carolinus
- Length
- 9–10.5 in
- Weight
- 2–3.2 oz
- Nest
- Excavated cavity in dead trees; occasionally large nest boxes
- Entrance hole
- 2 1/2 in
- Clutch
- 4–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 12 days
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
Identification
- Black-and-white barred back
- Red nape (and crown on males)
- Faint pinkish wash on the belly
Voice
Rolling 'churr' or 'kwirr' call.
Diet and feeding
Insects, nuts, seeds and fruit.
What do red-bellied woodpeckers eat? · Best feeder for red-bellied woodpeckers
Red-bellied Woodpeckers by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–July |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–July |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–July |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–July |
Frequently asked
What do red-bellied woodpeckers eat?
Insects, nuts, seeds and fruit. At feeders: suet, peanuts, black-oil sunflower.
How big is a Red-bellied Woodpecker?
9–10.5 in long and 2–3.2 oz.
Do red-bellied woodpeckers use birdhouses?
Yes — a 2 1/2 in entrance, 6 × 6 in floor, mounted 12–20 ft.
Sources
- Red-bellied Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-bellied Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-bellied Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.