There are several species of woodpeckers in the southeast, however on campus you will probably only spot the Common Flicker, Colaptes auratus, the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus, and the Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens, which are more tolleratnt of humans than the other species. All of these woodpeckers feed on insects which they mostly find in infested trees. They can be seen and heard hammering on trees around campus.

The Red-bellied is 8 to 10 inches long with white and black barring on its back, wings and tail. Males have a red crown, while females only have a red nape. They do have a reddish breast but it is hard to see.

(download full screen 300 dpi, 81K jpeg image of a Red-bellied)

The Common Flicker is 10 to 13 inches long has a white rump, a black throat bar and yellow under the wings and tail. Unlike other woodpeckers, this bird can often be seen searching for insects on the ground.

(download full screen 300 dpi, 86K jpeg image of a Flicker)

The Downy Woodpecker is only 5 to 6 inches long. It is black and white patterned birds. Males have a small red spot on the back of their heads. Downy will often come to bird feeders for suet.

(download full screen 300 dpi, 95K jpeg image of a Downy)