Bird Guide

Golden-naped Woodpecker

Melanerpes chrysauchen

Least ConcernInvertebratesForestCavity nestSmall · 52 g

About the Golden-naped Woodpecker

The golden-naped woodpecker is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae. The species is very closely related to the beautiful woodpecker, which is sometimes treated as the same species. The two species, along with several other species, are sometimes placed in the genus Tripsurus.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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The golden-naped woodpecker grows to a length of about 18 cm (7 in). It is similar in appearance to the beautiful woodpecker but their ranges do not overlap. The sexes are similar apart from the male having a yellow fore-crown and a red central-crown, while the whole crown of the female is yellow except for a narrow central transverse black band. Both sexes have a yellow nape, and a black mask surrounding the eyes and running to the nape. There is a small white patch behind the eye. The lores, cheeks, chin, throat and breast are pale yellow, buff or grey.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Golden-naped Woodpecker lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia.

When to see the Golden-naped Woodpecker

Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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