Golden-fronted Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Melanerpes aurifrons

Population Estimate: 1.7M

Range / Habitat: Year-round in lowland dry shrubland from Texas through Mexico and into Central America.

Field Notes: Medium-sized woodpecker with black and white barred back and large, stout bill. This species has complex geographic variation in crown and nape, ranging from yellow to red, contiguous to discrete. Gila Woodpecker rarely overlaps, but has plain nape, no nasal tufts. Golden-cheeked Woodpecker with large, black eye ring. Yucatan Woodpecker quite similar but noticeably smaller bill and yellow nasal tufts.

Personal Notes: Seen in Belize and again in Cancun, Mexico.