RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 



409. Centurus carolinus. 9 l /2 inches 



Male with whole top of head and back of neck red; 

 female with forehead and hind head red but crown 

 gray. Both sexes have the center of the belly reddish, 

 and red eyes. 



Like the Eed-heads these birds are noisy but they 

 have few of the bad qualities of the others. Besides 

 the regular Woodpecker fare, they get a great many 

 ants and beetles from the ground and fruit and acorns 

 from the trees. They are said to also be fond of 

 orange juice. In most of its range it is regarded as 

 rather a shy and retiring bird, but owing to its bright 

 markings it is very conspicuous when in flight. 



Note. A sharp, resonant cha, cha, cha, repeated. 



Nest. In holes bored usually in live trees and at 

 any height from the ground. Their five or six eggs 

 are glossy white (l.OOx.75). 



Range. United States east of the Plains, breeding 

 from Florida and Texas to southern Pennsylvania and 

 Minnesota. Winters along the Gulf coast; occasionally 

 strays to Mass. 



