Red-Bellied Woodpecker

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Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Orlando Wetlands Park
Even though they are extremely common, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers [gallery] are one of my favorite birds to watch.  They are easily identified.  They are a relatively small woodpecker with white-spotted black wings, pale face, and a red patch on their (you guessed it) head.   They love to alert you to their presence with their wonderful trill-like call.  When I hear it, it usually takes only a few seconds to find the bird.  They can be distinguished from Pileated Woodpeckers by their smaller size, from Downy and Harry Woodpeckers by the red-patch on the crown of their heads, and from Red-Headed Woodpeckers by the lack of an all-red head.

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Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Viera Wetlands
If Red-Bellied Woodpeckers live near you (and if you live in the U.S. east of the Mississippi River, they probably do), you've probably noticed the trill of their call, even if you've never noticed the bird.  .They can be found in just about any eastern forest and even at your back-yard feeder.  In Central Florida, I see them frequently along the birding trail at Orlando Wetlands Park and at Viera Wetlands.  Here are some of my favorite photos of this wonderful bird.

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Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Orlando Wetlands Park
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Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Viera Wetlands
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Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Viera Wetlands
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Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Orlando Wetlands Park

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