Gray-breasted Woodpecker
Melanerpes hypopolius
Fairly common endemic woodpecker in desert interior habitats of southwest Mexico, especially in areas with tall columnar cacti, including towns and villages. Often in pairs or small groups. Rather drab and grayish overall with a whitish forehead patch and a densely barred black-and-white back. Male has red crown patch and female has plain gray head. No similar species in its limited range.
Identification
Like 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. It is also similar to the zebra-backed birds of the same genus.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Melanerpes hypopolius
- Authority
- (Wagler, 1829)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Melanerpes
Range and habitat
Areas of domain in Mexico include Guerrero, Morelos, and Puebla. Knowledge of the behavior of this bird was widely unknown before a 1990 study out of the Cooper Ornithological Society which observed six of the birds. The study confirmed the communal roosting habits of the birds, specifically on cacti. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pale-eyed Bulbul
Pycnonotus davisoni
Distinctive bulbul endemic to the Irrawaddy River delta in southern Myanmar. Note namesake white irises, as well as the yellow facial stripes. Gray-brown body contrasts with olive wings and bright yellow vent. Inhabits lowland evergreen broadleaf and swamp forests in its restricted range. Formerly treated as the same species as Stripe-faced Bulbul (under “Stripe-throated Bulbul”), with which it overlaps in far southeastern Myanmar; note present species’ pale eyes and darker body. Song is throaty and melodious.
Sabah Partridge
Tropicoperdix graydoni
Intricately-patterned partridge of tropical lowland rainforest. Uncommon and declining throughout its range. Brown with buff scaling, rusty bib, stippled black-and-white head pattern, and a pale throat. Forages in small flocks on the forest floor. Found at lower altitudes than other partridges in range and distinguished by pale ear patch and lack of rufous on the head. Song, often given as a duet, consists of loud, tremulous whistles followed by a series of up and down notes “weep! churrrrr…!”.
New Guinea White-eye
Zosterops novaeguineae
A small bird of lowland or montane forest, dependent on the location. Olive-green back, yellow throat and under the base of the tail, whitish belly and white eye-ring. Sometimes mixes with other white-eye species. Very similar to Black-fronted White-eye, but New Guinea usually lacks black around the face, has less demarcated yellow throat and whitish underparts. Song, a high note, followed by a series of downslurred “piuu” notes. Call, a raspy, upslurred note.
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