Red bellied woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) are named after the red patch of feathers that are low on their chests and bellies, but unless they are in the right position, that patch is not easy to see. The males also have more red down there than the females or immature males. This male is in his prime and in summer plumage, and he is nicely positioned to show off that patch. Even in this position it’s not that easy to see and the gaze tends to fall on that bright red head instead. Nevertheless, there is a woodpecker with even more red on its head than this who has the name red headed woodpecker, so this guy gets the name red bellied. What ever you call this fellow, though, he is quite beautiful in his varying shades of red.