Red-bellied Woodpecker nesting and feeding habits

Red-bellied Woodpecker Habits

red-bellied woodpecker

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 to adulthood.

Description

The male Red-bellied Woodpecker is 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

The nesting habits of this bird are as you might have guessed, like most woodpeckers. A cavity nester, it excavates a hole in a living or recently dead tree. Anywhere from 5 to 70 feet above ground. Most sites are below 40 feet.

Laying 3 to 8 all white eggs. Incubation is done by both parents and last between 12 - 14 days. Feeding is done by both male and female and the young will leave the nest about 25 to 30 days after hatching.

May attempt 2 broods each season, but not at the same nest site. Most only raise one brood each season.

Can be attracted to properly constructed birdhouses.

Feeding Habits

The Red-bellied Woodpecker feeds on tree trunks and limbs. Their diet consist of wood-boring insects, beetles, ants, fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds.

A bird feeder can be used to attract them. At feeders they will eat sunflower seed, nuts, and fruit. 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. First removing the outer shell or husk and then tapping it into and under tree bark.

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