Red-bellied woodpeckers are a somewhat puzzling case to bird watchers because the red hue in their bellies is often unnoticeably faint.
Males have red heads, and both genders of red-bellied woodpeckers have black and white striping on their backs that zig zag in random directions, much like that of a zebra.
They like to dwell in wooded areas and even suburban communities, with the only prerequisite to their habitat being that they prefer deciduous trees.
In recent times, the range for red-bellied woodpeckers has stretched further to the north, allowing them to become more prominent in places like Michigan.
Although the males have red heads, try to refrain from confusing them with red-headed woodpeckers (mentioned previously on this list), their name and their markings do not seem to match at first glance.
They are larger than average for a woodpecker species.
When can this bird be seen in the state?
Red-bellied woodpeckers are found throughout all seasons in Michigan.
If the weather gets too bitterly cold, they can be forced south, although they aren’t a migratory bird. Generally, they stay for the winters.
Where can this bird be seen in the state?
Red-bellied woodpeckers are most common in the southern half of the lower peninsula.
However, as mentioned earlier, they have been observed to be more present each year in northern locations. So, although they are not common in the upper peninsula currently, there are more sightings up north as time goes on.