About the Guadeloupe Woodpecker
The Guadeloupe woodpecker or Tapeur is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae belonging to the genus Melanerpes. Endemic to the Guadeloupe archipelago in the Lesser Antilles, it is a medium-sized forest woodpecker with entirely black plumage and red-to-purple reflections on its stomach. It lives mainly in the islands' tropical rainforest areas. The woodpecker has no sexual dimorphism. The species has adapted under the pressure of urbanization to more open forest environments.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Guadeloupe woodpecker is a medium-sized, robust woodpecker species measuring 26–28 cm (10–11 in) in length, and with a mass of 86–97 g (3.0–3.4 oz) in males and 69–78 g (2.4–2.8 oz) in females. It is distinct in its appearance within its genus, and unlike other species of Melanerpes, males and females do not present a marked sexual dimorphism in their plumage; they are entirely black with gradual reflections ranging from dark red to burgundy on the ventral plumage, dark blue on the back, and metallic blue on the wing tips. Males have a wingspan of 42.5 cm (16.7 in) compared with 40. Voice: The Guadeloupe woodpecker makes eight vocalized and two unvocalized sounds: Although they are identical in form, the female's sound is higher pitched.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Guadeloupe Woodpecker lives
When to see the Guadeloupe Woodpecker
Peak activity in April · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Grey-breasted WoodpeckerMelanerpes hypopoliusLike Gila woodpecker (male has round red crown patch), but pale red on cheek; short black line over eye; much darker and grayer below and on head.
Beautiful WoodpeckerMelanerpes pulcherThe beautiful woodpecker is about 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) long.
Jamaican WoodpeckerMelanerpes radiolatusThe Jamaican woodpecker is about 24 to 26 cm (9.4 to 10 in) long and weighs 92 to 131 g (3.2 to 4.6 oz).
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