![]() Their calls are quieter than most other woodpeckers. Males are differentiated from females by a red patch on the back of their neck, or at the top of their head in the case of younger males. Their wings are black and white horizontal bars, or in some instances black with white spots. They are black and white coloured, with two black shoulder pads on their back with a large white stripe in between. They are very common and aren’t shy of visiting suburban areas, it is highly likely one lives near you if you are a Florida resident.ĭowny woodpeckers are notably the tiniest woodpecker species in North America, standing at as little as 5.71 inches tall for adults. The red-bellied woodpecker can be found all over the state of Florida, although they prefer deciduous trees. So, although these woodpeckers are extremely common, it is possible that they could be even more prominent in Florida in the winter. They are not considered a migratory bird, although there have been observations of some of them flying to more southern locations during the winter. Red-bellied woodpeckers can be seen in Florida year-round. They have two toes in the front of their foot and two toes in the back, different from most birds who have three in the front and one in the back, and this allows the red-bellied woodpecker to grip vertically on trees easier. They have a distinct rolling call that you won’t forget once you hear it. Throughout the years, the range for red-bellied woodpeckers has slightly crept northward. They can be found in woodlands and even suburban locations, but they generally stay near deciduous trees. Their most identifiable characteristic is the red head for males, otherwise you’ll be able to identify their black and white barring on their back and wings, which is reminiscent of zebra striping. In contrast to the Golden-fronted Woodpecker, the Red-Bellied Woodpecker is not aptly named, since Red-bellied woodpeckers do not have red bellies, or at least not very easily identifiable red colouring on their belly. You likely won’t see them anywhere on the panhandle of Florida or along the eastern coast, since Florida is on the eastern edge of their range, with their main range being from Texas to Nicaragua, but occasionally they can traverse to western Florida. Golden-fronted woodpeckers have been spotted in the north-western part of the state. Where can this bird be seen in the state? They are not migratory and stay in the southern United States and Central America for the entire duration of the year. The golden-fronted woodpecker can be found in Florida at any time of the year. They feed on insects such as grasshoppers. They are cavity nesters, meaning that they will raise their young, lay eggs, and dwell inside cavities of either birdhouses or trees, or a similar habitat.įemales will have a more distinct yellow colouring on their lower belly. They can be drawn to feeders using oranges and jam. Their preferred habitat are spacious woodlands and dry brush. In addition to this signature characteristic, adult males will have red colouring on the top of their heads and white rumps visible when flying. ![]() The Golden-fronted Woodpecker is aptly named due to its tan/gold front colouring. Overall, Florida is a paradise of woodpecker watching due to a high number of resident species and easy accessibility, just do your best to support habitat-preserving efforts to keep these unique birds around. This trail is home to the red-cockaded woodpecker, the downy woodpecker, the red-bellied woodpecker, and the pileated woodpecker, in addition to many other non-woodpecker bird species. The Blackwater Heritage State Trail is perhaps your best bet of seeing the most woodpecker species, all within one 8.1-mile hike. There are many Florida state parks that are known for offering great bird watching opportunities, and this list includes, but is not limited to, Blackwater State Forest, Anastasia State Park, Avalon State Park, and Olustee State Park. Many woodpeckers are drawn to the pine forests that Florida has to offer, although unfortunately many of these forests are currently being cleared or have already been cleared as a result of the timber industry, and many woodpecker populations have suffered as a result of habitat loss.Ī recent study in Florida identified 29 species of birds that are at risk of habitat and population loss due to climate change, including 13 “highly vulnerable” species, with the red-headed woodpecker being one of these 13 highly vulnerable species. ![]()
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