Velasquez's Woodpecker

The golden-fronted woodpecker, Melanerpes aurifrons, is a medium-sized bird, measuring 22 to 26 cm in length and weighing between 65 to 102 grams. It exhibits a striking plumage with barred black and white upperparts and a smoke gray to drab gray underbelly, adorned with light blackish bars on the flanks. A distinctive yellow patch graces the belly, adding a splash of color to its otherwise muted tones.

Identification Tips

Males can be distinguished by their red crown and golden orange to yellow nape, separated by a gap, while females sport a more subdued grayish crown and paler yellow nape. Both sexes share deep red to reddish-brown irises, black to grayish black bills, and grayish green to greenish gray legs and feet. Juveniles are less vibrant, with duller napes and less distinct barring.

Habitat

This woodpecker favors mesic and xeric environments, thriving in mesquite brushlands, riparian woodlands, and even adapting to urban parks and suburban locales.

Distribution

The species ranges from southwestern Oklahoma through central Texas to the Mexican Plateau, reaching as far as Jalisco, San Luis Potosí, and Hidalgo. It occasionally visits New Mexico and has been known to stray further afield.

Behaviour

The golden-fronted woodpecker is a permanent resident within its range, exhibiting year-round territorial behavior. It is often seen foraging on major tree limbs and sometimes on open ground, but rarely underbrush.

Song & Calls

Its vocalizations include a loud, harsh "kirrr" or a hard "tig tig," frequently delivered in a series. The woodpecker's drumming is characterized as short and relatively slow.

Breeding

Pairs typically remain together throughout the year and may produce two broods annually. Both sexes partake in excavating nest cavities in trees, utility poles, or nest boxes, with the incubation period lasting 12 to 14 days and fledging occurring around 30 days post-hatch.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of adult and larval arthropods, aerial insects, fruits, nuts, and corn. It employs various foraging techniques, including gleaning, pecking, probing, and occasionally aerial flycatching.

Conservation status

The golden-fronted woodpecker is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population. It is common in much of Texas, and while data from Mexico is limited, the species appears to adjust well to human-altered environments.