Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Melanerpes aurifrons
ORDER: PICIFORMES
FAMILY: PICIDAE
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
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A stripe-backed woodpecker of Mexico and Central America, the Golden-fronted Woodpecker reaches the United States only in the brushlands and open woodlands of Texas and Oklahoma.
Appearance
Woodpeckers
Adult Description
- Medium- to large-sized woodpecker.
- Back barred black-and-white.
- Orange-yellow back of neck.
- White rump.
- Male with red cap.
Immature Description
Juvenile similar to adult, but duller, with fine streaking on crown and breast, and only faint color on nape and nasal tufts. Eyes brown.
Field MarksHelp
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Male
- © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Roma, Texas
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Female
- © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Roma, Texas
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Adult male
- Occurs primarily in Texas
- Horizontal black-and-white stripes on back
- Males have red crown patch
- Both sexes have yellow forehead and nape
- © Gerry Dewaghe, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, December 2006
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Adult female
- Occurs primarily in Texas
- Horizontal black-and-white striped back
- Gray head, yellow forehead and nape
- Females lack red crown patch of males
- © Tripp Davenport, Uvalde, Texas, March 2009
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Adult male
- Horizontal black-and-white striped back
- Large white rump patch very noticeable in flight
- Males have red crown; both sexes have yellow nape and forehead
- © Gerry Dewaghe, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, December 2006
Similar Species
Adult male
- Occurs across eastern U.S. but doesn't overlap with Golden-fronted
- Head lacks yellow
- Male has extensive red crown and nape
- © Rachel Banai
Similar Species
- Red-bellied Woodpecker has red nape, crown (in the male), and nasal tufts, and white-barred, not black central tail feathers.
- Gila Woodpecker has a plain gray head and nape, barred central tail feathers, and fine black bars on its rump.