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Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find a Bird

Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus

Prior to the 1970s, the Red-bellied Woodpecker was extremely rare and local in Massachusetts, but since the first Breeding Bird Atlas, the species has exploded as a result of its range expansion from the south. Today it is a very widespread breeder in Massachusetts.
Conservation Status
No Action - Strong Increase

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Least Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.50
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.51
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
0.00
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
32.80
National Audubon Societyb
n/a
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
4
Atlas II Blocks
783
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
0
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
76
Percent change
15825

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
23.4%
P-value
not significant
Number of routes
20
Recent trend 2000-2010
17.3%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
20.8
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1963-1979)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1979-2008)
20.6
Significantly different than zero
yes
Christmas Bird Count Sightings By Year
Data reflects sightings per person per hour in order to account for varying numbers of yearly volunteers.

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Forest, Forested Wetland, Urban and Suburban

Wintering

Forest, Urban and Suburban

Climate Suitability Current and 2050