The black-cheeked woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found from Mexico south to Ecuador.
Region
Central America to northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Primarily found on the Caribbean slope from southeastern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica into Panama, extending into western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, riverine forest, and semi-open mosaics with scattered trees. The species commonly uses second growth and agroforestry systems such as cacao, coffee, and banana plantations. It forages mostly from mid-levels to the canopy but will also descend to trunks and larger branches. Nesting typically occurs in cavities excavated in dead or decaying trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A colorful mid-sized woodpecker of humid lowland forests, the black-cheeked woodpecker ranges from southeastern Mexico through Central America to northwestern South America. It often adapts well to edges, second growth, and plantations, where it forages high in the canopy. Like many Melanerpes, it supplements an insect diet with fruit and nectar, and readily visits fruiting trees. It nests in cavities it excavates in soft or decaying wood.
Female feeding on wild papaya with male below
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and will join mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Excavates nest cavities in deadwood; both sexes participate in excavation and incubation. Territorial around nest sites but tolerant at rich fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, metallic peek and chattering notes, often delivered in quick series. Drumming is a rapid, even roll used for communication and territory advertisement.
Plumage
Back and wings boldly barred black-and-white; underparts buffy to yellowish with fine dark barring. Face shows a contrasting black cheek patch with pale lines above and below; throat whitish. Males have a red crown and nape, females show less extensive red limited toward the nape. Lower belly often washed with reddish near the vent; tail mostly dark with pale barring.
Diet
Takes a wide range of arthropods, including beetles, ants, and their larvae gleaned from bark and wood. Also consumes fruits and berries, such as figs and other soft fruits, and may sip nectar. Occasionally hawks insects in brief sallies from exposed perches.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid to upper canopy of humid forests, edges, and second growth. Frequently visits fruiting trees and feeds on trunks and large branches, probing crevices and deadwood. Uses agroforestry habitats like cacao and coffee plantations when trees are present.
