The golden-naped woodpecker is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae. The species is very closely related to the beautiful woodpecker, which is sometimes treated as the same species. The two species, along with several other species, are sometimes placed in the genus Tripsurus.
Region
Southern Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily on the Pacific slope of southwestern Costa Rica and western Panama. It inhabits humid to moist lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, and secondary growth. The species adapts well to semi-open landscapes, visiting fruiting trees in gardens, shade coffee, and cacao plantations. It nests in cavities excavated in dead trunks or large branches and often forages from the midstory to canopy.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The golden-naped woodpecker is a Central American woodpecker notable for the golden-yellow patch on the nape. It is closely related to the beautiful woodpecker (Melanerpes pulcher) and has at times been lumped with it; both have also been placed by some authors in the genus Tripsurus. It excavates nest cavities in dead wood and readily uses forest edges and semi-open habitats.
Temperament
active and moderately territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Pairs excavate nest cavities in dead wood and share incubation and chick-rearing duties. They defend nesting territories but may forage alongside conspecifics where food is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp, metallic calls and rattling series; vocalizations often exchanged between pair members. Drumming consists of short, rapid bursts on resonant dead branches.
Plumage
Boldly patterned woodpecker with black upperparts and contrasting pale barring on the back and flanks; underparts are pale with dark barring. Distinct golden-yellow patch on the nape, with contrasting dark face and pale facial striping. Wings show white patches in flight; tail is stiff and dark for bracing on trunks.
Diet
Takes a broad diet of wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, and other arthropods gleaned or extracted from bark and dead wood. Also consumes fruits and berries, frequently visiting figs and other fruiting trees. Will occasionally lick sap or nectar and opportunistically takes other small invertebrates.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks, large branches, and vines from the midstory to the canopy. Often feeds at forest edges, secondary growth, and agroforestry systems such as shade coffee and cacao, especially where fruiting trees are present.
