Not Red-Bellied Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied woodpeckers have been nicknamed "Shamshacks" due to their bright, sharp calls, but their official names aren't all that accurate. The red-bellied woodpecker is a black and white striped red-headed bird, not a red-bellied one. While they have a rosy pink marking on the underside of their body, it is often hard to spot in the wild. However, red-headed woodpecker was taken as a name, meaning scientists had to settle for the less accurate title.
Tongued Attackers
Red-bellied woodpeckers have incredibly long tongues, barbed at the end to catch insects in small, wood crevices. However, due to their sharp tongues and territorial nature, red-bellied woodpeckers can be spotted on trail cam footage poking birds with their tongues to scare them off. At bird feeders specifically, they're often seen harassing mourning doves, flying over to lick them until they leave.
More encounters
