From Opus

Alternative name: Bahama Woodpecker

Melanerpes superciliaris

Photo by arthurgrosset
Photo of female taken: Playa Larga, Cuba.

[edit] Identification

Black and white barred back and tail, grey to buff underparts with some barring on the lower belly and crissum, red nasal tufts; the male has a red crown and nape whereas the female only has a red nape.

[edit] Distribution

Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Forests, palm groves and mangrove forests.

[edit] Behaviour

One female will raise two broods with different males concurrently.

They nest in holes excavated in dead trees and in live or dead palms. Its abandoned nest holes are often used by other species such as the Cuban Screech Owl, the Cuban Pygmy Owl, the Cuban Parrot and the Cuban Parakeet.

The diet includes insects, larvae, lizards, frogs and fruit.

[edit] External Links