Black-cheeked Woodpecker
A species of Melanerpine Woodpeckers Scientific name : Melanerpes pucherani Genus : Melanerpine Woodpeckers
Black-cheeked Woodpecker, A species of Melanerpine Woodpeckers
Botanical name: Melanerpes pucherani
Genus: Melanerpine Woodpeckers
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Francesco Veronesi , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The adult is 18.5 cm (7.3 in) long and weighs 63 g (2.2 oz). It has black upperparts with white barring on the back, white spotting on the wings and a white rump. The tail is black with some white barring, and the underparts are pale buff-olive with a red central belly. There is a black patch through the eyes and on the cheeks, a yellow forehead, and a red nape. The crown is red in the male and black in the female. Young birds are duller, have less white above and less red on the belly.
Size
19 cm
Nest Placement
Cavity
Feeding Habits
Black-cheeked Woodpecker's diet consists primarily of insects like spiders, termites, beetles, and ants, supplemented by fruits, berries, bromeliad seeds, Cecropia catkins, and nectar. It employs foraging tactics such as excavating tree bark and capturing aerial insects, showcasing a unique preference for certain plant arils.
Habitat
Black-cheeked Woodpecker predominantly inhabits humid and wet evergreen forests, thriving along forest borders and within old secondary growth areas. They are also found in clearings with scattered tall trees, abandoned plantations, and even gardens, typically in proximity to denser woodlands. These birds are adapted to both lowland regions and foothills, ranging from sea level up to elevations of 700–900 m, and in places like Ecuador, they can be found at altitudes as high as 1500 m.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Francesco Veronesi , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Family
Woodpeckers Genus
Melanerpine Woodpeckers Species
Black-cheeked Woodpecker