Red-bellied Woodpecker
Family: Picidae
Genus: Melanerpes
Species: M. carolinus
It is easy to spot by its red crown and back. It also has gray under parts, zebra-striped back and a white rump. Its wings are patterned with black and white. The white-patched base of primary flight feathers is recognizable when in flight. It grows to about 9”-10.5” long with a wingspan of 123-139 mm and weighs 72.5 grams. Red-bellied woodpeckers tap their bills together when they are courting. Both male and female birds help build the nest cavity. The cavity is lined with wood chips and is about a foot deep. It is usually built in a dead or dying tree. The female lays three to eight eggs and both the male and female incubate the eggs and care for the young. The male incubates at night. The chicks hatch in about three weeks and they fledge in about a month. The chicks usually stay with their parents until the fall.
Special Adaptations:
The male has a wider tongue tip and longer bill than the female, allowing him to reach deeper into crevices to find prey. Studies have shown the male forages on the tree trunk, while the female forages mostly on limbs.
No comments:
Post a Comment