![]() These small woodpeckers reach only 7-9 inches in length with a wingspan of 13-17 inches. The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is an endangered species endemic to the pine forests of the southeastern United States, including North Carolina. Their striking appearance and behavioral traits make them stand out among North Carolina’s woodpeckers. Red-headed woodpeckers form lifelong pair bonds and may stay together year round. They are quite aggressive and known to drive away other birds from their territory. The characteristic raucous call of these woodpeckers sounds like a sharp “chur-chur”. They are migratory over the northern parts of their range. Red-headed woodpeckers nest in the cavities of dead trees, laying 4-7 white eggs. They may fly out from an elevated perch to catch insects in mid-air. ![]() ![]() These birds forage primarily on the ground for insects and other arthropods, nuts, seeds and fruits. They thrive in agricultural areas interspersed with trees and forest edges. Red-headed woodpeckers inhabit open woodlands, groves, river bottoms and scrubby areas with many dead trees or limbs for nesting and feeding sites. This medium-sized woodpecker reaches 8-9 inches in length with a wingspan around 16 inches. Their white belly and wing patches are also conspicuous in flight. Adults have a striking red head, neck and upper breast contrasting sharply with glossy black back, wings and tail. The red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is an unusually colored woodpecker found in North Carolina. The red-bellied woodpecker plays an important role in forests by creating new nesting sites for other cavity nesters and controlling insect populations. It makes a loud rolling call that sounds like “churr-churr-churr”. This woodpecker gets its name from the distinctive reddish patch on its belly, which is difficult to spot when the bird is perched. Their range covers most of North Carolina and they are present year-round. They also forage by hitching along branches and pecking into tree trunks and limbs to extract food. Red-bellied woodpeckers use their strong beaks to excavate nesting and roosting holes in dead trees. Their diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, fruits, nuts and some small vertebrates. They nest in tree cavities and lay 3-5 white eggs. These birds inhabit open woodlands, particularly those consisting of mature trees. Females have a red patch only on the nape of the neck. The red on the head of males extends from the beak back over the eye and neck. The back and wings are black and white barred. The most distinguishing feature of the red-bellied woodpecker is the red patch on its belly, which is difficult to see when the bird is perched but becomes visible in flight. It is a medium-sized bird, around 9 inches in length with a wingspan of 15 inches. The red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is one of the most common and widely distributed woodpeckers in North Carolina. With striking plumage patterns and impressive feats of excavation, woodpeckers are avian wonders no backyard birder or nature lover should miss! Woodpecker From their preferred habitats and food sources to nesting habits and distinctive calls, we’ll cover the natural histories of these fascinating birds and their importance to our state’s rich biodiversity. Join us on a tour of North Carolina’s seven most common woodpecker species and discover what makes each one unique. These charismatic birds fill essential roles in their forest ecosystems while captivating birdwatchers with their beauty and behaviors. From the fiery red crests of pileated woodpeckers to the gentle tap-tapping of diminutive downies, North Carolina forests come alive with the sights and sounds of woodpeckers.
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