Puerto Rican Woodpecker
Melanerpes portoricensis
A medium-sized woodpecker that frequently forms small flocks and can be found in most wooded habitats. No other species in its range sports its glossy dark blue back and rosy front. Drums softly, calls loudly, often belying its presence. Most commonly gives an emphatic “Pik!” which is often repeated, sometimes in a rapidly accelerating series.
Identification
The Puerto Rican woodpecker (Melanerpes portoricensis) 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.
Taxonomy
Genus: Melanerpes; Family: Picidae; Order: Piciformes.
- Scientific name
- Melanerpes portoricensis
- Authority
- (Daudin, 1803)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Melanerpes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blue Cotinga
Cotinga nattererii
Striking cotinga found from eastern Panama to northwest Ecuador. Male is deep sky blue with a dark purple throat and belly and mostly black wings. Female is much different: brown with scaly pattern above and spots below. Note large eye with pale eyering, short bill, and typical plump cotinga shape with short square tail. Typically found in the canopy of lowland forest, often perched conspicuously. Sometimes gathers at fruiting trees. Occasionally ventures into the foothills, up to around 1,400 m.
Eurasian Coot
Fulica atra
Distinctive stocky waterbird. Adult is dark gray overall with a white bill and forehead shield. Immature has a pale breast and a duller bill that becomes brighter white with age. When walking on shore, note big feet with lobed toes. Inhabits both freshwater and brackish marshes, lakeshores, and riverways; occasionally on saltwater. Breeding pairs aggressively territorial but nonbreeding flocks can number in hundreds. Unmistakable throughout much of range, but compare with very similar Red-knobbed Coot in areas of overlap. Calls are diverse, and include various high-pitched squeaks, squawks, and shorter, more clipped notes.
Saffron Finch
Sicalis flaveola
Widespread and common but patchily distributed. Male is bright yellow with saturated orange on forehead. Typically shows less brownish-olive tone on back and wings than many yellowfinches, but southern populations of Saffron are duller and browner above. Females are duller than males, with southern populations even browner and streakier. Could be confused with Grassland Yellow-Finch, but that species is usually duller and more heavily streaked above. Orange-fronted Yellow-Finch is smaller. Saffron Finch is found in dry open habitats including agricultural land and towns. Often in flocks.
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