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{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
;Melanerpes herminieri | ;Melanerpes herminieri | ||
| + | ==Description== | ||
| + | Back and wing coverts are bluish black, while tail and flight feathers on the wing are more brownish black. The breast is reddish to blood-colored (sometimes with an orange tint), while the belly is yellowish-orange. Bill is dark, and 20% longer in male than female; this is the only clear sexual dimorphism in this species. Legs are grayish blue, with some yellowish on the feet. Iris is light brown, sometimes with a darker ring distally. Young birds are similar to adults but duller. Notice that contrary to many woodpeckers, this species normally does not undulate in flight. | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | The most similar species present in Guadeloupe at the moment probably is the [[Carib Grackle]], which has many structural differences to the woodpecker. | ||
==Distribution and Taxonomy== | ==Distribution and Taxonomy== | ||
The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is endemic to Guadeloupe, where it is found on the two largest islands, Grande Terre and Basse Terre. It is a monotypic species which belongs to the Melanerpes groups of woodpeckers, a group that have members on several other Caribbean Islands. | The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is endemic to Guadeloupe, where it is found on the two largest islands, Grande Terre and Basse Terre. It is a monotypic species which belongs to the Melanerpes groups of woodpeckers, a group that have members on several other Caribbean Islands. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is found in most forest types from sea level to about 1000 meters, however, it is doing better generally in Basse Terre than in Grande Terre. | ||
| + | ==Behavior== | ||
| + | |||
==Conservation Concerns== | ==Conservation Concerns== | ||
| − | A current population estimate is around 20000 with an uncertainty of about 4000. That is about the same as in 1994, however, due to habitat destruction and closure of a habitat | + | A current population estimate is around 20000 with an uncertainty of about 4000. That is about the same as in 1994, however, due to habitat destruction and closure of a habitat corridor between the two islands, the outlook for about 20% of the population is rather grim. The species has not been seen traverse water and does not spread any significant distance over non-forested ground. |
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
A beautiful monograph of this species was written by Pascal Villard (ISBN 2-9506548-6-X) | A beautiful monograph of this species was written by Pascal Villard (ISBN 2-9506548-6-X) | ||
Revision as of 02:05, 2 August 2007
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- Melanerpes herminieri
Description
Back and wing coverts are bluish black, while tail and flight feathers on the wing are more brownish black. The breast is reddish to blood-colored (sometimes with an orange tint), while the belly is yellowish-orange. Bill is dark, and 20% longer in male than female; this is the only clear sexual dimorphism in this species. Legs are grayish blue, with some yellowish on the feet. Iris is light brown, sometimes with a darker ring distally. Young birds are similar to adults but duller. Notice that contrary to many woodpeckers, this species normally does not undulate in flight.
Identification
The most similar species present in Guadeloupe at the moment probably is the Carib Grackle, which has many structural differences to the woodpecker.
Distribution and Taxonomy
The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is endemic to Guadeloupe, where it is found on the two largest islands, Grande Terre and Basse Terre. It is a monotypic species which belongs to the Melanerpes groups of woodpeckers, a group that have members on several other Caribbean Islands.
Habitat
The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is found in most forest types from sea level to about 1000 meters, however, it is doing better generally in Basse Terre than in Grande Terre.
Behavior
Conservation Concerns
A current population estimate is around 20000 with an uncertainty of about 4000. That is about the same as in 1994, however, due to habitat destruction and closure of a habitat corridor between the two islands, the outlook for about 20% of the population is rather grim. The species has not been seen traverse water and does not spread any significant distance over non-forested ground.
External Links
A beautiful monograph of this species was written by Pascal Villard (ISBN 2-9506548-6-X)
The following link will search for images of this species in the gallery, however, none were found at the time of editing.
