Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)

 

I am enjoying watching the Cardinals and Woodpeckers feed from the suet feeder in my backyard. 

Interesting facts:

• Red-bellied Woodpeckers are attracted to noises that resonate. The male will tap loudly on metal gutters, aluminum roofs and even vehicles to attract a mate.
• The European Starling will often evict the Red-bellied Woodpecker from its nest.
• The male has a wider tongue tip and longer bill than the female, allowing him to reach deeper into crevices to find prey. Studies have shown the male forages on the tree trunk, while the female forages mostly on limbs.
• A group of woodpeckers has many collective nouns, including a "descent", "drumming", and "gatling" of woodpeckers.