Bird Guide

Cuban Green Woodpecker vs Golden-green Woodpecker

Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus)

Cuban Green Woodpecker

Xiphidiopicus percussus

Medium61 gForest

A medium-sized and colorful bird, the Cuban green woodpecker is similar to a sapsucker in general shape and size. Featuring olive green overparts and yellow, streaked underparts, the Cuban green woodpecker usually appears crested, and features a bright red upper breast, as well as a black chin contrasting a white face and supercilium. In males, a red crown is present, while females possess black crowns with white stripes. The area around the cloaca, or the crissum, is yellow with black barring. Voice: The Cuban green woodpecker's call is a short, harsh "jhhhorr, jhhhorr, jhhhorr," as well as a higher pitched "yeh-yeh-yeh." The call is usually single noted with double notes occasionally being uttered. It may sometimes produce a slurred, two-note call "ta-ha", which is similar to the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)'s call.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K · CC BY 2.0
Golden-green Woodpecker (Piculus chrysochloros)

Golden-green Woodpecker

Piculus chrysochloros

Medium88 gForest

The golden-green woodpecker is 18 to 27 cm (7.1 to 11 in) long and weighs 55 to 91 g (1.9 to 3.2 oz). Males and females have the same plumage except on their heads. Males of the nominate subspecies P. c. chrysochloros are red from forehead to nape, have olive green from the lores around the eye and onto the side of the neck, and successively a pale yellow stripe, a short red malar band, and an olive green stripe below that area. Their chin and upper throat are yellow. The nominate female has no red on its head; its forehead to nape are olive and it has an olive-brown malar area. Voice: The golden-green woodpecker's song is a "series of 15 almost toneless, hoarse 'schraah' notes, sounding like a hysterically crying baby."

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Aitor · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Cuban Green Woodpecker and Golden-green Woodpecker.