redbellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 8.5 inches

• Medium-sized woodpecker

• Pale gray face, throat, breast, and belly

• Back strongly barred with black and white

• Black wings barred and spotted with white

• White bases to the primaries appear as white crescent in the hand in           flight

• White rump and uppertail coverts with sparse dark markings

• Dark tail with black and white barring on the central retricies

Adult male:

• Red cap extending from bill to nape

Adult female:

• Red nape patch, gray crown, and red spot above bill

Similar species:

Gila woodpecker is darker brown about the head and belly, lacks the red
nape and spot above bill. Golden-fronted woodpecker overlaps in Texas
where hybrids are known so identifications should be made with caution
and attention to all details of plumage. Note the red-bellied's red nape
and barred central retricies in all plumages.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: Cavity
Clutch Size: 3-8
Length of Incubation: 12-14 days
Days to Fledge: 24-27
Number of Broods: 1 in north, 2-3 in south
Diet: Mostly Nuts fruit; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February C

 

 

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