Differentiating between a Red-bellied and Red-headed Woodpecker should be fairly straightforward. Their names alone would suggest one has a red belly while the other a red head. Why then are these woodpeckers often mistaken and called by the wrong name? It likely is because these birds are similar in size, colour, and both display red on their heads. Properly identifying these two woodpeckers is incredibly easy if you keep one thing in mind. The Red-headed Woodpecker is the only eastern woodpecker with an entirely red head.
To be fair, it’s not hard to see where the confusion comes from. The red belly of a Red-bellied Woodpecker is incredibly hard to see as this part of the bird is typically pressed against the trunk of a tree. To the untrained eye looking up an seeing a woodpecker with a large amount of red on its head one would assume red-headed, hence the erroneous identification an honest mistake.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are far more common in Southwestern Ontario and the one most likely to frequent a backyard feeder. These birds can be attracted to feeders by offering peanuts, sunflower seeds, or suet. A visit to many of our city parks, ESAs, and other natural areas often reveals a Red-bellied Woodpecker. These birds have a black and white zebra-like pattern on their backs with the male displaying red on its forehead, crown, and nape while the female only has red on her nape with a grey forehead and crown.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is far less common across the region and in fact, is currently listed as a species at risk in Ontario. Your best chance to see one of these birds is at Pinery Provincial Park, Rondeau Provincial Park, or John E. Pearce Provincial Park as a visit to one of these parks will often reveal this bird. The Red-headed Woodpecker has a solid black back with large white wing patches and again an entirely red head. In this species, the male and female are similar in appearance.
When it comes to identifying immature birds of these two species this becomes more of a challenge as the amount of red on their heads varies depending on age. Look for the white wing patches to contrast a dusky body and head of a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker while a juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker displays the same zebra-like pattern as an adult only with a dusky head. As both species mature, look for more red to appear on their heads.
If you are out birding and come across a medium-sized woodpecker with a significant amount of red on its head look closely to see if its entire head is red. If so, you are looking at a Red-headed Woodpecker. If only parts of its head are red then it’s a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Remember this quick and easy tip next time you are in the field to easily differentiate these easily misidentified woodpeckers.
Good birding,
Paul
I finally purchased a Cotton Carrier harness, thanks to your blog. I wish I had invested in one much sooner. Thanks Paul and hope to see you on the trails.
I am glad you are happy with the Cotton Carrier Don. My biggest regret was not getting one sooner. They are an amazing product. I’m sure I will see you out and about one of these days.
Hi Paul I was just trying to identify this bird and your newsletter came. Great timing.
That is awesome Francine! I am really happy to hear that.
I live in Hanover PA and seem to have quite a few red bellied woodpeckers at my feeders. All of them have a white breast but there is one that has a black and white checker pattern on its chest. I can’t find a picture of a red bellied woodpecker with that pattern on its chest, so is it a different bird?
Hi Bruce, that is strange as the Red-bellied Woodpecker does have a white breast as you mentioned. Any chance it is a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker as they have more streaking on their breasts than other woodpeckers.