During severe winters, Red-bellied Woodpeckers tend to migrate from the northern reaches of their range to areas where the weather is less severe. The head, undersides, rump, and central tail feathers are primarily grayish white in color. These woodpeckers have a pinkish wash to the belly that is difficult to see.
Males have a red nape and crown, and, to a lesser extent, their forehead and lores are also red.
Females have only a red nape and lores. In flight, the prominent white patch at the base of the blackish primaries produces a prominent white wing patch. 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 seed eaters, and often they are seen frequenting feeders.