The range of the Red-bellied Woodpecker encompasses most of the eastern portion of North America. During severe winters, they tend to migrate from the northern reaches of their range to areas where the weather is less severe. These woodpeckers can be found in open woods of deciduous trees and conifers, parks, and suburbs. In addition these birds may be seen in company with flickers in groves of live oak, palmettos, and other southern trees. Red-bellied Woodpeckers prefer to forage in deciduous trees, but they also forage on the ground.
Males tend to forage along branches that are larger in diameter than the branches chosen by females.
During the winter, Red-bellied Woodpeckers are primarily seedeaters, and often they are seen frequenting feeders that offer suet, nuts, sunflower seeds, and fruit. The Red-bellied Woodpecker is the one woodpecker that feeds insects to its young, but has a more varied diet than other woodpeckers. Acorns, pine seeds, fruit and berries are important sources of food for this type of woodpecker. Red-bellied Woodpeckers nest between five and forty feet above the ground in a cavity. The male does most of the excavating, but the female may help.