Woodpeckers Thrive in Florida

The red-bellied is the most common and widespread in the state

Woodpeckers are part of the Picidae family that includes 222 species worldwide grouped into 28 genera; 57 species grouped into 14 genera in North America; and eight species grouped into five genera in Florida: red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), red-headed woodpecker, yellow-bellied sapsucker, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, red-cockaded woodpecker, northern flicker, and pileated woodpecker.

The most recognized, common, and widespread of these in Florida is the red-bellied woodpecker.

It has a large range globally, occupying 1.15 million square miles. This species does not show signs of decline as its estimated global population is 10 million. Its range in North America extends from North Dakota, the Great Lakes, and southern New England to Florida and the Gulf Coast.

The red-bellied woodpecker is a year-round resident throughout the eastern United States and easily adapts to many native habitats, including suburban backyards and parks. In Florida its native habitats include pine flatwoods, sandhills, mixed pine and hardwood forests, pine scrub, mosaic hammocks, cypress swamps, hardwood swamps, and coastal mangroves.

Although the male red-bellied woodpecker has a red cap from its nape to bill, this species is named for its pinkish belly patch. The patches of bright orange and red on its head and belly play a role in signaling. It is sometimes called the ladderback or zebra woodpecker because both sexes have a black and white barred back and wings. It also has a white rump; grayish-brown face; orange-red nape extending to the forehead; pale upper parts; and barred black tail. The female has a grayish-brown crown and orange-red forehead. Juveniles have a grayish-brown crown. This is a medium-size woodpecker measuring nine to 10.5 inches long, with a wingspan of 16 inches.

This woodpecker prefers savanna, wetland ecosystems, and forest habitats. It uses cavities for nesting and roosting in live and dead trees (snags), including slash pine, live oak, bald cypress, and cabbage palms. It will also nest in poles, fence posts, and bird houses.

The female chooses one of several sites excavated by the male, other abandoned woodpecker cavities, or natural cavities. If she chooses one of the excavated sites, both sexes will prepare the cavity in seven to 10 days. Cavities are located from five to 120 feet above the ground or water; they are nine to 13 inches deep and approximately four-by-five inches in size.

Tree cavities provide excellent shelter. Wood provides insulation against cold and hot temperatures. The shade and thick wood of a large tree or snag moderates the heat from direct sunlight hitting the nest or roost tree. The interior of the cavity remains dry during rain unless wind drives the rain into the cavity. I have observed red-bellied woodpeckers blocking the entrances to their cavities during rainstorms to keep the interior dry.

Nest cavities tend to be safer and more successful than twig nests placed in a shrub, tree, or on the ground. Small cavity entrances are less noticeable and easier to defend from preda

tors such as rodents, birds, and snakes. A woodpecker can easily defend its eggs or young against a predator because of the small cavity entrance and the woodpecker’s powerful neck muscles and sharp stiletto bill.

The red-bellied woodpecker breeds from April through July in Florida, when two to eight eggs are laid. The one-inch eggs are white and unmarked. In the south, red-bellied woodpecker pairs produce two to three broods per breeding season, as compared with one brood in the north.

Courtship displays include V-shaped flight, wing and tail spreading, bowing, and crest raising. Courtship involves mutual tapping and reverse mounting. The breeding pair is monogamous. Incubation of the eggs takes 12 to 14 days. The male incubates and broods at night, and both sexes conduct these tasks during the day. After hatching, the young are altricial in that they are naked, blind, and helpless. They fledge 24-27 days after hatching.

The red-bellied woodpecker forages in trees and on the ground for nuts, seeds, berries, fruits, and insects such as beetle grubs, spiders, moths, ants, and grasshoppers. It also feeds on small lizards and frogs. Both sexes feed their young berries and insects. I have observed them making more than 70 food deliveries per day for a period of three weeks.

William R. Cox has been a professional nature photographer and ecologist for more than 35 years. Visit him online at williamrcoxphotography.com.

Although the male red-bellied woodpecker has a red cap from its nape to bill, this species is named for its pinkish belly patch.