This is bird note.

As woodpeckers go, they're bold and conspicuous,

thriving even in backyards and city parks east of the Mississippi.

And red-bellied woodpeckers are unabashedly vocal.

Some might say noisy.

The red-bellied is a good- woodpecker more than nine inches tall

sleek and handsome its back is crisply barred zebra-like in black and white its

underside glows a warm buff and the male sports a scarlet crown and nape. Like most

woodpeckers, red bellieds eat lots of insects, but they also like nuts, berries, and seeds.

They can be attracted to backyards with suet cakes, berry bushes, or even a cut orange

tacked to a tree trunk so they can enjoy the pulp and juice.

But the red-bellied woodpecker retains one element of mystery.

Its name. Why call it Red Bellied.

Whoever first named the species must have had a rye sense of humor

for on this strikingly patterned bird.

The last thing you would likely notice is a slight blush of rose on its lower belly.

For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann.

Bird Note gives you the sounds of birds every day,

and you get the sights as well when you follow us on Instagram,

at Bird Note Radio. video.