White-fronted Woodpecker
Melanerpes cactorum
The White-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cactorum) is a uncommon woodpecker found in 5 countries, weighing about 35 g. The white-fronted woodpecker is a species of bird in the family Picidae.
About the White-fronted Woodpecker
The white-fronted woodpecker is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found mainly in Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
When to see it
The White-fronted Woodpecker can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-fronted Woodpecker?
- The adult white-fronted woodpecker is about 17 cm (7 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-fronted Woodpecker?
- The White-fronted Woodpecker is a small sized bird weighing about 35 g.
- Where can you see a White-fronted Woodpecker?
- The White-fronted Woodpecker occurs in 5 countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay.
- What birds look similar to a White-fronted Woodpecker?
- The White-fronted Woodpecker is most easily confused with the West Indian Woodpecker, the Hispaniolan Woodpecker and the Yellow-fronted Woodpecker.
- Is the White-fronted Woodpecker endangered?
- The White-fronted Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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