About the Puerto Rican Woodpecker
The Puerto Rican woodpecker is the only woodpecker endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico and is one of the five species of the genus Melanerpes that occur in the Antilles. Furthermore, it is the only resident species of the family Picidae in Puerto Rico. The species is common on the main island of Puerto Rico and rare on the island of Vieques.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Puerto Rican woodpecker has a black body and a bright red throat and breast. It has a white patch that runs across the head from eye to eye. Its flanks and lower body have a light tangerine coloration. As with the majority of birds sexual dimorphism is present in this species. The males' throat and breast are more brightly colored than the females' with females tending to be all-around duller in coloration. There is also a substantial (~18%) difference in bill length between sexes. Also males are slightly bigger than females. Its average weight is 56.0 grams.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Puerto Rican Woodpecker lives
When to see the Puerto Rican Woodpecker
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Golden-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysogenysThe golden-cheeked woodpecker is about 19 to 22 cm (7.5 to 8.7 in) long and weighs 55 to 88 g (1.9 to 3.1 oz).
White WoodpeckerMelanerpes candidusThis woodpecker grows to a length of 24 to 29 cm (9.4 to 11.4 in) and weighs around 108 g (3.8 oz), with a range of 98 to 131 g (3.5 to 4.6 oz).
Yucatan WoodpeckerMelanerpes pygmaeusThe adult Yucatan woodpecker is 17 cm (6.7 in) in length.
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