Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is in the Woodpeckers family (Picidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 125,684 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Red-bellied Woodpecker: observations by month (U.S.)
About Red-bellied Woodpecker
The red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Texas 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; the red-headed woodpecker, however, is another species that is a rather close relative but looks quite different.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Red-bellied Woodpecker by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 20,807 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Florida | 18,941 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Ohio | 6,582 | April | Sep–Jul |
| New York | 6,390 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 6,181 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Virginia | 5,662 | April | Sep–Jun |
| Illinois | 5,525 | April | Sep–Jun |
| Maryland | 5,174 | April | Sep–Jun |
| North Carolina | 4,402 | January | Sep–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 4,001 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Michigan | 3,226 | May | Apr–Mar |
| Tennessee | 3,192 | January | Sep–Jun |
| New Jersey | 3,156 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Minnesota | 2,985 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Georgia | 2,675 | April | Mar–Feb |
| South Carolina | 2,642 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Wisconsin | 2,498 | May | Aug–Jun |
| Alabama | 2,408 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Missouri | 1,987 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Indiana | 1,957 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Arkansas | 1,896 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Louisiana | 1,632 | April | Mar–May |
| Oklahoma | 1,525 | April | Nov–Jun |
| Connecticut | 1,393 | January | Sep–Jul |
| Vermont | 1,238 | April | Oct–Jul |
| Kentucky | 954 | April | Sep–Jun |
| Mississippi | 946 | January | Oct–Aug |
| Iowa | 796 | December | Sep–Jul |
| Nebraska | 726 | May | Mar–May |
| Kansas | 713 | April | Oct–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 684 | May | Apr–Mar |
| Delaware | 596 | March | Oct–Jun |
| District of Columbia | 587 | March | Aug–Jun |
| West Virginia | 551 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 426 | April | Sep–Jul |
| Maine | 401 | May | Apr–Mar |
| South Dakota | 139 | May | Oct–May |
| Colorado | 45 | November | Oct–Jan |
| North Dakota | 32 | May | Mar–Aug |
| New Mexico | 9 | November | Nov–Nov |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Woodpeckers)
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Red-bellied Woodpecker?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from September to July.
Where is Red-bellied Woodpecker most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Florida, Ohio.