Bird Guide

White-fronted Woodpecker vs Yucatan Woodpecker

White-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cactorum)

White-fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes cactorum

Small35 gWoodland

The adult white-fronted woodpecker is about 17 cm (7 in) in length. The sexes are similar in appearance except for a small patch of red, not always visible, on the crown in males. The crown, nape and upper parts are glossy black, apart from a thin white line running from a white nape patch down the centre of the back. A black mask surrounds the eye and extends to the mantle. The upper side of the wings is bluish-black, boldly barred with white, and the underside is browner. The upper side of the tail is black with white markings and the underside is browner.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Leonel Roget · CC BY 4.0
Yucatan Woodpecker (Melanerpes pygmaeus)

Yucatan Woodpecker

Melanerpes pygmaeus

Small39 gShrubland

The adult Yucatan woodpecker is 17 cm (6.7 in) in length. Adults are mainly light gray on the face and underparts; they have black and white barred patterns on their back, wings and tail. Adult males have a red cap going from the eye to the nape, whereas the red cap is only in the occipital area in the females. There are yellow feathers around the base of the bill. There may be a yellowish tinge to the belly and a red wash to the vent area.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: danygl · CC BY 4.0

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: White-fronted Woodpecker and Yucatan Woodpecker.