Melanerpes portoricensis

(Daudin, 1803)

Vernacular names
English : Puerto Rican woodpecker
French : Pic de Porto Rico

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Piciformes
Family : Picidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
The species reaches a length of 22 cm for a weight of 72 g. Most plumage black except for white forehead and eye-ring, pinkish flanks and bright red throat, breast and belly. Male has more red and a black collar on lower neck.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to the Greater Antilles, occurring only on Puerto Rico and on nearby Vieques island. Lives in wooded habitats, from mangroves to plantations and montane forest.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is classified as restricted-range by Birdlife but remains globally common where suitable nesting trees occur. Hurricanes are a threat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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