Grey-breasted Woodpecker

Overview

The grey-breasted woodpecker (Melanerpes hypopolius) is a species of bird in the family Picidae endemic to the interior of southwestern Mexico. With a population of slightly fewer than 50,000 individuals, it is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Resembles the Gila woodpecker but features a pale red patch on the cheek and a short black line over the eye.
• Appears much darker and grayer below and on the head compared to similar species.
• Vocalisations include a loud and aggressive sounding rattle, a 'chuck' sound by females near nests, and a 'yak' sound with a heavy inflection.

Habitat

Inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Morelos, and Puebla. The species exhibits communal roosting habits, specifically utilising cacti as roosts.

Diet

Feeds on cactus fruit as well as various insects such as cicadas, termites, and occasionally flies. Groups of three to ten birds forage together in an amiable fashion, working collectively to scan for food without displaying outward aggression.

Did you know?

Fledglings spend most of their time hidden inside cacti and do not beg for parental attention or food when visible, a behaviour that distinguishes them from other species in the genus Melanerpes.