Alternative names: Bahama Woodpecker, Cayman Woodpecker
- Melanerpes superciliaris
Identification
27–32 cm (10½-12½ in)
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.
Distribution
Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Taxonomy
Sometimes placed in genus Centurus. Distinctive race M. s. caymanensis is small and small-billed, with buff tinge on upperparts and little or no black on its face. It has been considered a separate species, the Cayman Woodpecker.
Subspecies
This is a polytypic species. Five subspecies recognized.[1].
- M. s. nyeanus: Grand Bahama and San Salvador Island.
- M. s. blakei: Great Abaco I. (northern Bahamas)
- M. s. superciliaris: Cuba, Cantiles Keys and adjacent islands
- M. s. murceus: Isle of Pines, Cayo Largo and Cayo Real
- M. s. caymanensis: Grand Cayman Island
Habitat
Forests, palm groves and mangrove forests.
Behaviour
Breeding
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. One female will raise two broods with different males concurrently.
Diet
Includes insects, larvae, lizards, frogs and fruit.
Vocalisations
Typical churr call a loud krrru, or repeated as krrruu-krrru-krrru.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Winkler, H. & Christie, D.A. (2018). West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/56173 on 28 November 2018).
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) West Indian Woodpecker. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/West_Indian_Woodpecker
