Velasquez's Woodpecker vs Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Velasquez's Woodpecker

Melanerpes santacruzi

How to recognise a Velasquez's woodpecker?

General appearance

The Velasquez's woodpecker, also known as Melanerpes santacruzi, typically has a sturdy, robust physique with a strong, chisel-like bill. It's primarily black in color with white patches on the wings and rump. A defining feature is the bright red cap located on the top of the bird's head.

Male vs female

In many species, males usually exhibit more vibrant plumage compared to their female counterparts, however, in Velasquez's woodpeckers, males and females have similar coloration and markings. Differences are subtler and mainly consist of variations in size, with males being slightly larger than females. Furthermore, the red cap of the male extends down to the nape of the neck, whereas it is typically smaller in females.

Juvenile

Juveniles of the Velasquez's woodpecker exhibit a more muted color palette compared to the mature birds. Their plumage consists of various shades of brown with faint white markings. The red cap found on adults is absent in the juveniles, developing as they mature. Furthermore, juveniles have shorter beaks compared to adults.

Size

8.7 - 10.2 in/2.3 - 3.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Velasquez's woodpecker prefers humid forests, particularly pine-oak woodlands in Mexico and Central America.

Additional range

While rare, this species has been observed in unexpected dry environments, such as desert scrubland.

Range Map

What do Velasquez's woodpeckers like to eat?

Natural diet

Velasquez's woodpecker primarily feeds on insects and larvae found in tree bark. It also consumes fruits, berries, and seeds. Occasionally, it may eat small invertebrates like spiders or caterpillars. These birds forage by pecking at tree trunks and branches to uncover hidden insects, often using their long tongues to extract prey from crevices.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, Velasquez's woodpecker often enjoys suet blocks, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. It may also be attracted to feeders offering fresh fruits like orange slices or apple pieces. These food sources supplement their diet, especially during colder months when natural food can be scarce.

What does a Velasquez's woodpecker sound like?

The Velasquez's Woodpecker's vocalizations are comprised of loud, strident 'kweek' or 'kwee-ur' calls, often in a rapid series, forming an extended rattle. Their territorial song is a soft, repeated 'whip' sound, sometimes alternating with sharp 'wik' notes. These woodpeckers also produce drumming sounds on resonant surfaces as part of their communication repertoire.

Song

Audio by Nick Komar

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

How to recognise a red-bellied woodpecker?

General appearance

The Red-bellied Woodpecker measures approximately 10 inches (25 cm) in size with a unique coloration. It has narrow black and white bars on its back, a buffy brown chest, and a face with a striking red stripe that extends over the top and back of the head. Its wings are broad, rounded, and short, featuring unique white patches noticeable in flight. The tail shape is multi-pointed and wedge-shaped.

Male vs female

Both males and females possess the same general physical traits including a black, red, tan, and white color scheme. However, marking differences can help distinguish between the two. A notable difference is in the level of red coloration on the head area; while both sexes feature a bright red stripe over the top and back of their heads, females tend to have less red compared to their male counterparts.

Juvenile

Juvenile Red-bellied Woodpeckers closely resemble the adults in coloration and physical traits, except for the striking red stripe, which typically develops as they mature. Therefore, younger woodpeckers may have a less pronounced red stripe or none at all, compared to adults.

Size

9.0 - 10.5 in/2.0 - 3.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The red-bellied woodpecker primarily favors deciduous forests, frequently found along rivers and swamps, and mixed coniferous and deciduous terrain. They are less likely to be seen in pure pine areas.

Additional range

Uncommonly, they also venture into relatively open areas such as forest edges, clearings, groves on farmland, and suburban shade trees.

Range Map

What do red-bellied woodpeckers like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-bellied woodpecker is omnivorous. Its diet includes a wide range of insects, which it primarily forages in trees. During certain seasons, more than 50% of its diet consists of plant material like acorns and other nuts, as well as wild and cultivated fruits and seeds. Occasionally, the woodpecker consumes tree frogs, eggs of small birds, oozing sap from trees, and sometimes even small fish.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, red-bellied woodpeckers commonly eat a variety of offerings such as suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other nuts. Suet and nut-based feeders are particularly popular among these woodpeckers due to their high-fat content, which is beneficial for energy.

What does a red-bellied woodpecker sound like?

The red-bellied woodpecker produces various vocalizations, including a pattern that descends in pitch, described as "chuck-chuck-chuck." Their calls are typically loud, falling, and flat, resembling a repeated "churrrr." They also produce sounds classified as chirp or chip, drum, and rattle. These calls and songs are often repeated, making them a distinctive presence in their environment.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

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Velasquez's Woodpecker

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Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Velasquez's Woodpecker

Melanerpes santacruzi

General appearance

The Velasquez's woodpecker, also known as Melanerpes santacruzi, typically has a sturdy, robust physique with a strong, chisel-like bill. It's primarily black in color with white patches on the wings and rump. A defining feature is the bright red cap located on the top of the bird's head.

Male vs female

In many species, males usually exhibit more vibrant plumage compared to their female counterparts, however, in Velasquez's woodpeckers, males and females have similar coloration and markings. Differences are subtler and mainly consist of variations in size, with males being slightly larger than females. Furthermore, the red cap of the male extends down to the nape of the neck, whereas it is typically smaller in females.

Juvenile

Juveniles of the Velasquez's woodpecker exhibit a more muted color palette compared to the mature birds. Their plumage consists of various shades of brown with faint white markings. The red cap found on adults is absent in the juveniles, developing as they mature. Furthermore, juveniles have shorter beaks compared to adults.

Size

8.7 - 10.2 in/2.3 - 3.6 oz

There's more to learn about Velasquez's Woodpecker

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Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

General appearance

The Red-bellied Woodpecker measures approximately 10 inches (25 cm) in size with a unique coloration. It has narrow black and white bars on its back, a buffy brown chest, and a face with a striking red stripe that extends over the top and back of the head. Its wings are broad, rounded, and short, featuring unique white patches noticeable in flight. The tail shape is multi-pointed and wedge-shaped.

Male vs female

Both males and females possess the same general physical traits including a black, red, tan, and white color scheme. However, marking differences can help distinguish between the two. A notable difference is in the level of red coloration on the head area; while both sexes feature a bright red stripe over the top and back of their heads, females tend to have less red compared to their male counterparts.

Juvenile

Juvenile Red-bellied Woodpeckers closely resemble the adults in coloration and physical traits, except for the striking red stripe, which typically develops as they mature. Therefore, younger woodpeckers may have a less pronounced red stripe or none at all, compared to adults.

Size

9.0 - 10.5 in/2.0 - 3.2 oz

There's more to learn about Red-Bellied Woodpecker

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How to tell the Velasquez's Woodpecker from the Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Visual differences

Velasquez's Woodpecker (8.7-10.2 inches, 2.3-3.6 ounces) and Red-Bellied Woodpecker (9.0-10.5 inches, 2.0-3.2 ounces) are visually distinguishable. Velasquez's has a primarily black body with white wing patches and a red cap, whereas the Red-Bellied has black and white barred back, buff chest, and a red stripe across its head. Velasquez's has a more robust body with a chisel-like bill, while the Red-Bellied exhibits a buffy face with multi-pointed tail feathers. The red markings are more expansive in Velasquez's males compared to females.

Key differences and behavior

Velasquez's Woodpecker (Melanerpes santacruzi) and the Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) exhibit distinct behavioral and ecological traits. Velasquez's Woodpecker, active in humid forests and occasionally dry areas in Central America, is known for its cooperative nesting behavior, with both sexes sharing tasks such as excavating nest cavities and incubating eggs. In contrast, the Red-Bellied Woodpecker, inhabiting deciduous and mixed forests across North America, displays territorial and antagonistic behaviors, utilizing existing cavities for nests. Both species forage in trees, but while Velasquez's primarily consumes insects and fruits, the Red-Bellied’s varied diet includes insects, nuts, fruits, and sometimes small vertebrates. Both visit feeders, but Velasquez’s shows a preference for fruits and seeds, whereas Red-Bellied favors suet and nuts. Despite size similarities (8.7-10.5 inches), their preferred habitats and foraging methods help distinguish these woodpeckers in the field.