Red-bellied WoodPecker

	The Red-bellied Woodpecker might have been called the Red-headed Wood Pecker, except that there already was a redder headed Wood Pecker. You may be lucky if you ever see the minimal Red of this Bird's belly. It's usually snugged up against the object that he happens to be clinging to at the particular moment.
This fellow was a regular early winter afternoon visitor at a Bird House hung about 10 feet high on a Tree trunk. He took a liking to that House and claimed it for his own, even though he was never inside it. He was too big for the 1-1/2" hole. He also enthusiastically attacked two other nearby Bird Houses.		You may attract this natural air hammer to your back yard if it offers Feeders with Suet and Sunflower Seeds, and you live in the Eastern USA.
	Very similar in appearance; Males have a red forehead,; Females do not. These photos are all of the same Male.

Above Photos Copyrighted by GardenGrapevine.com 2005

Name	Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
Description	Common throughout the Eastern United States. A frequent visitor of back yard Feeders and Suet dispensers. It stores food in tree crevices. You may notice it making trips to a tree with scruffy bark, and quickly returning for more food. About the size of a flicker. 7-1/2"+
Food	Grubs, Insects, Seeds, Fruit, Berries. These Birds are predatory and may destroy Eggs or Nestlings to claim the Nesting cavity for their own.
Nest	Usually high in a Tree. A dead snag is excavated for a nest, or an existing cavity is used. Will sometimes nest in a Bird House filled to the entrance hole with Wood chips.
Eggs	4 or 5 white Eggs