Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 8.5 inches
* Medium-sized woodpecker
* Pale gray face, throat, breast, and belly
* Back strongly barred with black and white
* Black wings barred and spotted with white
* White bases to the primaries appear as white crescent in the hand in flight
* White rump and uppertail coverts with sparse dark markings

* Dark tail with black and white barring on the central retricies

Adult male:

* Red cap extending from bill to nape

Adult female:

* Red nape patch, gray crown, and red spot above bill

Similar species:
Gila Woodpecker is darker brown about the head and belly, lacks the red nape and spot above bill. Golden-fronted Woodpecker overlaps in Texas where hybrids are known so identifications should be made with caution and attention to all details of plumage. Note the Red-bellied's red nape and barred central retricies in all plumages.