Red-bellied Woodpecker

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Linda

Red-bellied woodpeckers are abundant in St. Augustine year-round. We have had the pleasure of seeing a nesting pair behind our house when we first moved here. They have a red patch of feathers on their belly, but it is hard to see when observing. It was named the red-bellied woodpecker back when birds were identified by killing them first and then holding them in your hand.

These birds like insects and travel up and down the trunks and branches of trees looking for something to eat. They also eat seeds and nuts which makes it possible to attract them to your backyard by offering peanuts and shelled sunflower seeds.

They nest in the holes of dead trees. This is why it is important to leave dead trees stand if they are not a detriment. Males have a red stripe from their back to their beak. The red stripe on females does not extend over their head to the beak.