Red-bellied Woodpecker -- South Dakota Birds

Length: 9 - 10 inches Wingspan: 15 - 18 inches Seasonality: All Seasons
ID Keys: Red stripe on back of head, black and white barring on back.  Red-washed  belly usually very hard to see.

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinusRed-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is an often noisy bird that has adapted to living in residential areas and parks.  Despite the name, it's usually very difficult to see the reddish wash on the belly.  The red stripe on it's head is a much more obvious identification feature.

Habitat: Floodplain forests, woodlands, groves, orchards, towns.

Diet: Omnivorous.  Eats many insects, but plant material may make up half the diet in some seasons. 

Nesting: May and June

Breeding map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Red-bellied Woodpecker Song, also Red-bellied Woodpecker Call

Migrations: Not migratory, although some wander north in the fall.

Feeders: Nuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, and suet.

Status: Seems to be increasing and extending it's range to the north.  However, it has undoubtedly suffered in some areas due to competition with European Starlings for nesting sites.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Red-bellied Woodpecker

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Red-bellied Woodpecker"

3) E-nature.com: Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker - South Dakota Range MapPhoto Information: June 26th, 2005 -- Perry Nature Area near Sioux Falls -- Terry L. Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Red-bellied Woodpecker photos.

 

 

 

Additional Red-bellied Woodpecker Photos
Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker 5

Red-bellied Woodpecker 6

Red-bellied Woodpecker 7 Red-bellied Woodpecker 8

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This page was last edited on 02/03/08