Red bellied woodpecker


 

The suet feeder was empty so this red bellied went to the nectar feeder.

If you look closely you can see the tongue lapping up the nectar.

Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, July 3, 2025.

Melanerpes carolinus

A Red-bellied Woodpecker can stick out its tongue nearly 2 inches past the end of its beak. The tip is barbed and the bird’s spit is sticky, making it easier to snatch prey from deep crevices. Males have longer, wider-tipped tongues than females, possibly allowing a breeding pair to forage in slightly different places on their territory and maximize their use of available food.

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