West Indian Woodpecker
Melanerpes superciliaris
A medium-sized woodpecker of drier forests including palm groves. Its strongly barred back eliminates all other species in it range except for Northern and Fernandina’s Flickers, but both flickers lack the West Indian Woodpecker’s extensively red nape and hind-crown. The barring on the back of the Northern Flicker is also far less pronounced than it is on West Indian Woodpecker. Common vocalizations include a staccato “pee-uh-uh-uh-uh…” with accent on first note, and emphatic bursts of “bluhhh, bluhhh, bluhhh,” with notes that are both harsh and slightly trilled.
Identification
The West Indian woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris) is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Cuba.
Taxonomy
Genus: Melanerpes; Family: Picidae; Order: Piciformes.
- Scientific name
- Melanerpes superciliaris
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1827)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Melanerpes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Philippine Spinetail
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A little-known medium-sized, short-tailed swift found over forest, usually at higher elevations. Mainly black with obvious white throat and underwing patches. Wing shape is unusual, with a “cut-out” next to the body and pointed wing tips curved backward. Tail square, with spines that are difficult to see. Distinguished from other swifts in its range by the white marks under the wings. Voice unknown.
Falcated Duck
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An East Asian teal-like duck. Males are distinctive, with an iridescent head that flashes green and copper, a silvery body with distinct scalloping, extremely long curved tertials, long pale scapulars, and a triangular white throat patch outlined in dark green. Brownish females resemble female Gadwall but have a dark bill. Breeds in northern interior marshes and winters on rivers, lakes, and coastal wetlands, often in flocks with other ducks.
Stuhlmann's Sunbird
Cinnyris stuhlmanni
Large and long-billed sunbird in which males are colorful, green and red, and females drab brownish. Males have yellow shoulder tufts that are usually hidden. Found in high-elevation heath, Afroalpine habitats, and forest edge along the Albertine Rift. Often feeds on low flowers. The call is a harsh “jyet” and the song a quick jumble of high-pitched notes. Very similar to Northern Double-collared Sunbird, but larger overall, with a longer tail and bill and a broader red band across the underparts.
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