Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

I’m probably the most common backyard woodpecker in Central Florida. Put out a nest box for me, give me some dead trees and suet, and I’ll happily spend all year in your yard. Although if you don’t have mature trees in your area, don’t be surprised if I’m not around much.

Most Likely Found: In the treetops, In your backyard

When: Year-Round

Where I've photographed: Bok Tower, Circle B Bar Reserve, Cox Road Kingbird Roost (Polk), Lake Apopka, Lake County Backroads, Mead Gardens, Oakland Nature Preserve, Orlando Wetlands, PEAR Park, Sanibel Island, Viera Wetlands

Read more: Red-bellied Woodpecker at Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Ebird: Red-bellied Woodpecker eBird range


I have written 33 posts including a photo of a Red-bellied Woodpecker

Woodpecker Feast

September 27, 2012 - This Red-Bellied Woodpecker was so intent on eating his berries that he hardly cared about the photographer who kept getting closer to him!... Read more

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 13, 2012 - I spent yesterday afternoon with my parents in their backyard.  We had a fun time planting and transplanting, trying to make sure there's enough nectar to satisfy Mum-mum's visiting hummers.  When I saw the Red-Bellied Woodpeckers eating oranges in Dick's backyard, though, I couldn't resist going to get my camera……... Read more

Signs of Spring at the Viera Wetlands

April 22, 2012 - I stopped by one particular palm that I know hosted a Red-Bellied Woodpecker nest in the past few years.  After I watched for a few minutes, both birds came out of the cavity.  Maybe next time I go there will be babies sticking their heads out to say hello.... Read more

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Achoo! Spring Cleaning Time at the Circle B Bar Reserve

March 8, 2012 - Last Saturday at the Circle B Bar Reserve, I heard a familiar drumming sound as I passed a dead tree.  In previous years, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers have made their nests inside this particular tree, and I've enjoyed watching the cavity hole as food is brought in for the babies.  So I…... Read more

Cute Babies at Viera Wetlands

July 9, 2011 - I was surprised by the number of baby Black-necked Stilts at the ponds.  At one point I found a rather chubby adult, who seemed to have too many legs.  It wasn’t until I got home and blew up the image that I realized that the “chubby” adult had her wings…... Read more

Baby Birds Take Flight at Circle B Bar Reserve

July 3, 2011 - Squirrel At the oak trees at the end of the trail, we found  a couple of recently-fledged Red-Bellied Woodpeckers.  They were really hard to photograph.  They hopped from branch to branch directly over my head.  I had to pull the tripod towards me onto one leg and sorta scrunch down…... Read more

Spring is in the Air at the Circle B Bar Reserve

February 12, 2011 - Blue-Winged Teal There is a dead tree at the "Four Corners" intersection that houses a Red-Bellied Woodpecker and his family.  I've seen him digging out his cavity, probably preparing a nest for the spring.  Today he posed in the morning sunlight.  I tried to get a video of him drumming,…... Read more

My First Orange-Crowned Warbler at the Circle B Bar Reserve

January 30, 2011 - Great Blue Heron A pair of Red-Bellied Woodpeckers landed on the same tree near the lake.... (I hope I'm there the day that Dyeyo finally does see one - he's going to be so excited!!) Red-Bellied Woodpecker Several Ruby-Crowned Kinglets mixed in with the Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers.... "See you next weekend!"…... Read more

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Seeing is Believing: There Really are Otters at the Circle B Bar Reserve!

November 14, 2010 - Eastern Phoebe On a neighboring tree, a Red-Bellied Woodpecker was digging into a small hole.... Red-Bellied Woodpecker There's a dead tree partway down Marsh Rabbit Run that the Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks like to sit in.... Yellow Flower Marsh Panorama Species list: Anhinga, American Coot, Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Black-Bellied Whistling…... Read more

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Quiet morning at the Circle B Bar Reserve

September 18, 2010 - I did snap this fun shot of a Red-Bellied Woodpecker and Blue Jay together.... Red-bellied Woodpecker and Blue Jay Last week I saw these butterflies back on the Eagle Roost trail, but I forgot to post the picture.... Read more

Another beautiful morning at the Circle B Bar Reserve

July 18, 2010 - Snowy Egret As we approached the intersection of Alligator Alley and Heron Hideout, we started to notice more songbirds.  This Red-Bellied Woodpecker caught our eye because he was dragging his wing in a funny way.  I think he was a juvenile because his red patch isn't very dark yet.  He…... Read more

Birds and Babies and Alligators, Oh my!

June 27, 2010 - Red-bellied Woodpecker Over by the parking lot, we were attracted to some fussing at one of the nesting boxes.  On closer inspection, we saw that it was a group of Carolina Wrens.  The adults were coming and going into the nesting box with nesting material.  On the ground, there were…... Read more

Baby Birds at the Circle B Bar Reserve

June 20, 2010 - The beautiful sunrise this morning was just the start of a happy Father's Day hike with Dyeyo at the Circle B Bar Reserve.  We saw lots of baby birds!   Sand Hill Cranes, Purple Gallinules, Common Moorhens, Grackles and Red-Winged Blackbirds, a Red-Bellied Woodpecker...... Juvenile Grackle As we passed an old,…... Read more

Springtime at Bok Tower

April 2, 2010 - Azalea paths Dyeyo, Rich, and I had fun bird-watching at Bok Tower.  We saw the most birds over by Window by the Pond, near the bird feeders.  I was amazed  to see several painted buntings!  One of the caretakers said that the painteds had arrived last winter and returned this…... Read more