Red Bellied Woodpecker, Male

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I came upon this red-bellied woodpecker just after sunrise. These medium-sized woodpeckers of the Picidae family breed in southern Canada, northeastern Mexico, and the northeastern United States. They range as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas. The common name "red-bellied woodpecker" is a bit misleading because the most prominent red part of its plumage is on the head. The red-headed woodpecker is a different species that is a close relative but looks very different.