Golden-cheeked Woodpecker

Melanerpes chrysauchen

The Golden-cheeked Woodpecker is a striking bird found in the pine-oak woodlands of Mexico and Guatemala. This medium-sized woodpecker is known for its distinctive black and white plumage, with bright golden-yellow cheeks and a red crown. It has a strong, chisel-shaped bill for excavating insects from trees and a distinctive drumming call. These woodpeckers are highly territorial and often found in small family groups. They play a crucial role in their ecosystem by controlling insect populations and creating nesting cavities in dead trees. However, habitat loss and deforestation pose significant threats to their populations.

Habitat: Pine-oak woodlands