Red-bellied Woodpecker Habits

The drumming in early spring signals that the male Red-bellied Woodpecker is claiming territory and hopes to court a mate for a season of nesting and raising young.

Description

The male measures about 9 inches in length with a wingspread of about 17 inches. He has bands of black and white on his back referred to as a "ladder back." The crown and nape of this bird is red. Breast and face is a dull gray. The female is similar to the male but has red only on the nape and above the bill. The crown is gray.

A small patch of reddish tint on the belly, sometimes difficult to see.

The young are similar to the adults but with a brown crown.

Mating and Courtship Habits

Similar to all woodpeckers, the Red-bellied uses drumming as the primary source for attracting and communicating with potential mates.

This habit of drumming may be done on hollow limbs, gutters, siding, utility poles, or any other material that it finds resonates well for its needs. Much to the dismay of the person who wishes to "sleep in" on weekends or the night shifter.

Considered monogamous throughout the breeding season. Some may form pair bonds lasting over several seasons.

An unusual part of courtship with this woodpecker species is mutual tapping. Generally done at a potential nesting cavity, one bird will enter as the other stays outside and each will take turns tapping to the other.

Nesting Habits

Both male and female will build their nest in tree, (living or dead) a utility pole or take over another species of woodpecker new home. These birds will also nest in man-made bird houses

The female will lay 4 - 5 completely white eggs. One egg is laid each day until the clutch is complete. Incubation is done by both male and female and will last about 12 - 14 days. The baby birds will fly from the nest (fledge)in about 24 - 27.

In the north a single brood may be raised each season while in the south two and even three broods may be raised.

Feeding Habits - What they Eat

A suet feeder or a fruit feeder with orange halves will bring them close during spring and summer. These birds also cache food. Storing nuts in crevices of tree bark for later consumption.

Other items that can be offered at the home feeding station are peanut butter, sunflower seed and cracked corn. In the wild these birds eat a diet of mainly vegetable matter sometimes feeding on beetles and insect larvae.

Listen To Red-bellied Woodpecker