Migration: During severe winters, Red-bellied Woodpeckers have been observed migrating south from northern areas to escape extreme weather.
Nest Facts: Red-bellied Woodpeckers are cavity nesters. The male carves and excavates a new cavity in a dead tree or sometimes a live tree in 7-10 days. Three to six eggs are incubated by both the male and female. The male incubates at night, the female during the day. Chicks hatch in about 12 days, and fledge in 22-27 days. Both parents care for the young.
In some areas, many Red-bellied Woodpecker nesting cavities are taken over by starlings. Red-bellied woodpeckers will occasionally use bird houses.
Recommended Bird House: Audubon Woodpecker Bird House
Diet
Red-bellied woodpeckers eat mostly nuts and fruits, with seeds being their primary food source during the winter. They also eat berries, corn, acorns, beechnuts, tree sap, ants, grasshoppers, beetles, lizards, frogs, and some bird eggs and nestlings.
Commercially available food options include sunflower seed kernals, fruit and nut blends and suet.
Recommended Feeders: Clinger Feeder, Fruit Feeder, Suet Feeder and suet log feeders
Similar species
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a rather close relative but looks entirely different. The Gila Woodpecker has a darker brown head and abdomen, and lacks the red neck and spot above bill. The Golden-Fronted Woodpecker is also similar in coloration to the Red-Bellied Woodpecker.
Originally published at New England Birdhouse blog.