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;Melanerpes aurifrons | ;Melanerpes aurifrons | ||
| − | [[Image:Golden-fronted_Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by cfagyal<br>Photographed: | + | [[Image:Golden-fronted_Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by cfagyal<br>Photographed: Roma, [[Texas]], [[USA]]]] |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 9 1/2" (24 cm). Barred with black and white above and buff below, | + | 9 1/2" (24 cm). Barred with black and white above and buff below, nape orange; forecrown yellow; female lacks red but has orange nape. It is the most commonly observed woodpecker in much of [[Mexico]] and northern [[Central America]]. |
| − | + | ||
| + | ===Voice=== | ||
| + | Loud churrrr. Call a burry chuck-chuck-chuck. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Similar Species=== | ||
| + | [[Red-bellied Woodpecker]], but male has red restricted to cap (though red extends right down the nape in some subspecies to the south of the range of [[Red-bellied Woodpecker]]). | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Resident from southwestern Oklahoma and central Texas down through Mexico and all of northern Central America to Nicaragua. | + | Resident from southwestern [[Oklahoma]] and central [[Texas]] down through [[Mexico]] and all of northern [[Central America]] to [[Nicaragua]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
The species name ''aurifrons'' is Latin for "gold-fronted" | The species name ''aurifrons'' is Latin for "gold-fronted" | ||
| − | A number of subspecies occur throughout its range, mainly varying in the amount of yellow and red on the head. A hybrid zone occurs with the closely related | + | A number of subspecies occur throughout its range, mainly varying in the amount of yellow and red on the head. A hybrid zone occurs with the closely related [[Hoffman's Woodpecker]] in southern [[Honduras]]. Some authors have suggested that they should be considered as one species. Other authors have suggested treating some of the subspecies as separate species. |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Open woods in dry country and river bottoms with trees.<BR>This familiar woodpecker is common in the parks and shade trees of Texas towns and cities. A southwestern species, it is a close relative of and resembles the [[Red-bellied Woodpecker]] found mainly in the Southeast | + | Open woods in dry country and river bottoms with trees.<BR>This familiar woodpecker is common in the parks and shade trees of [[Texas]] towns and cities. A southwestern species, it is a close relative of and resembles the [[Red-bellied Woodpecker]] found mainly in the Southeast. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
Revision as of 15:44, 18 June 2008
- Melanerpes aurifrons
Identification
9 1/2" (24 cm). Barred with black and white above and buff below, nape orange; forecrown yellow; female lacks red but has orange nape. It is the most commonly observed woodpecker in much of Mexico and northern Central America.
Voice
Loud churrrr. Call a burry chuck-chuck-chuck.
Similar Species
Red-bellied Woodpecker, but male has red restricted to cap (though red extends right down the nape in some subspecies to the south of the range of Red-bellied Woodpecker).
Distribution
Resident from southwestern Oklahoma and central Texas down through Mexico and all of northern Central America to Nicaragua.
Taxonomy
The species name aurifrons is Latin for "gold-fronted" A number of subspecies occur throughout its range, mainly varying in the amount of yellow and red on the head. A hybrid zone occurs with the closely related Hoffman's Woodpecker in southern Honduras. Some authors have suggested that they should be considered as one species. Other authors have suggested treating some of the subspecies as separate species.
Habitat
Open woods in dry country and river bottoms with trees.
This familiar woodpecker is common in the parks and shade trees of Texas towns and cities. A southwestern species, it is a close relative of and resembles the Red-bellied Woodpecker found mainly in the Southeast.
Behaviour
Nesting 4 or 5 white eggs in holes in mesquite trees, poles, and posts.
