Description:
The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a medium-sized woodpecker.
It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Florida and as far north as Canada.
Its common name is somewhat misleading, as the most prominent red part of its plumage is on the head.
Adults are mainly light gray on the face and underparts; they have black and white barred patterns on their back, wings and tail.
Adult males have a red cap going from the bill to the nape; females have only a red patch on the nape and another small one above the bill; their cap is grey.
Juveniles resemble adults but are duller, with no red nasal tuft and nape patches.
Their bill is brownish (black in adults).
1st & 2nd photo: A male. Boy Scout Preserve (near Robert K. Rees Memorial Park), New Port Richey, Florida, USA, 1 April 2022
3rd & 4th photo: A male. Fort de Soto County Park, Tierra Verde, Florida, USA, 31 March 2022
5th photo: A male. Paurotis Pond, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, 24 November 2012