South-eastern North America from south-eastern North Dakota, central Minnesota and northern Wisconsin east to extreme southern Ontario and southern Massachusetts, and south through eastern USA (western along valleys of R Missouri and R Platte to central South Dakota and extreme north-eastern Colorado) to coastal south-central Texas and Florida.
Population
Estimated population is 10,000,000 (2010).
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) [XC640360]
by Barry Edmonston from Lancy Brook Wetlands Brookline \/ Mason, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States (call)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) [XC624447]
by Russ Wigh from St. Marks NWR, Wakulla County, Florida, United States (call)
Subspecies
Sometimes combined with other barred congeners in a separate genus Centurus. Forms a superspecies with West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris). Interbreeds to limited extent with Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) in southern USA (Texas). Individual variation considerable, but considered not sufficiently correlated to any geographical pattern to warrant recognition of subspecies. Examination of extensive series of specimens indicates that width of white bars above varies clinally, increasing from east to west. Described subspecies zebra from west of range indistinguishable. Birds from southern Florida described as subspecies perplexus, being slightly smaller and tending to show more white on upperparts, paler red on lower forehead and less white in tail, possibly sufficiently distinct to be separated. Birds from eastern and central Texas described as subspecies harpaceus, with greyer cheeks and throat, perhaps also warrant subspecific status. Further study is required.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet