Velasquez's Woodpecker vs Red-Crowned 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-Crowned Woodpecker

Melanerpes rubricapillus

How to recognise a red-crowned woodpecker?

General appearance

The Red-crowned Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird with a striking red hood that extends from the crown to the nape. Its upperparts are black with white spotting while its underparts are dirty white with black streaking. It has a sturdy bill, perfect for chiselling into tree bark for insects. Its wings exhibit black and white wing bars.

Male vs female

The sexes are similar in size but can be differentiated by coloration. Both sexes have a red crown, but in males, it extends from forehead to nape, while females have a black patch in between the red regions. Additionally, females often have a paler chest and belly compared to males.

Juvenile

Juveniles resemble the adults but have less pronounced coloration. Their red crown is duller and the underparts are unpatterned gray, with no black streaking yet. As they mature, they gradually acquire adult plumage. There are no seasonal variations in the Red-crowned Woodpecker's appearance.

Size

6.3 - 7.3 in/1.4 - 2.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The red-crowned woodpecker primarily lives in tropical or subtropical forests, mangroves, and plantations in Central and South America.

Additional range

In unexpected environments, this bird may also be found in urban areas or human-dominated landscapes, displaying a high level of adaptability.

Range Map

What do red-crowned woodpeckers like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-crowned woodpecker primarily feeds on a variety of insects, including ants, beetles, and caterpillars, often foraging on tree trunks and branches. It also consumes fruits and seeds, particularly favoring those of palms, ficus, and other fruiting trees. Occasionally, they may feed on small vertebrates or carrion.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, red-crowned woodpeckers are attracted to suet, which provides a rich source of fat and energy. They may also eat peanuts, sunflower seeds, and occasionally shelled corn. Offering a variety of these foods can help attract them to backyard feeders.

What does a red-crowned woodpecker sound like?

The red-crowned woodpecker produces a variety of vocalizations, including 'churr' and 'chirr' sounds while foraging or signaling to others. It also makes a 'quee-quee-quee' alarm call. Unlike many woodpeckers, it doesn't often drum on trees. Its song typically consists of repetitive 'pik' notes and both its call and song often have subtle variations. Strong connotation with social interaction, alarm and territoriality is observed in its vocalizations.

Song

Audio by Nick Komar

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Red-Crowned Woodpecker

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Velasquez's Woodpecker

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Red-Crowned 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

View full details

Red-Crowned Woodpecker

Melanerpes rubricapillus

General appearance

The Red-crowned Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird with a striking red hood that extends from the crown to the nape. Its upperparts are black with white spotting while its underparts are dirty white with black streaking. It has a sturdy bill, perfect for chiselling into tree bark for insects. Its wings exhibit black and white wing bars.

Male vs female

The sexes are similar in size but can be differentiated by coloration. Both sexes have a red crown, but in males, it extends from forehead to nape, while females have a black patch in between the red regions. Additionally, females often have a paler chest and belly compared to males.

Juvenile

Juveniles resemble the adults but have less pronounced coloration. Their red crown is duller and the underparts are unpatterned gray, with no black streaking yet. As they mature, they gradually acquire adult plumage. There are no seasonal variations in the Red-crowned Woodpecker's appearance.

Size

6.3 - 7.3 in/1.4 - 2.3 oz

There's more to learn about Red-Crowned Woodpecker

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

Visual differences

Velasquez's Woodpecker (8.7-10.2 inches, 2.3-3.6 ounces) is larger and has a black body with white wing patches and a prominent red cap, extending to the male's nape. Red-Crowned Woodpecker (6.3-7.3 inches, 1.4-2.3 ounces) is smaller, displays a red hood from crown to nape in males, with females showing a black patch between red areas. It has black upperparts with white spots and a dirty white belly with black streaks. Both species have similar sturdy beaks for foraging.

Key differences and behavior

Velasquez's Woodpecker and the Red-Crowned Woodpecker exhibit distinct behaviors and habitat preferences. Velasquez's Woodpecker, found in humid pine-oak woodlands of Mexico and Central America, participates in complex courtship involving drumming and aerial displays. They are cooperative in nesting and chick-rearing. Their diet mainly includes insects, fruits, and seeds, and they favor forest settings. In contrast, the Red-Crowned Woodpecker thrives in tropical forests, mangroves, and urban areas in Central and South America, showcasing high adaptability. They practice territorial courtship with drumming and mutual display. Although both species share nesting duties, Red-Crowned Woodpeckers prefer deadwood cavities and may continue feeding fledglings post-fledging. Diet-wise, they supplement insects with fruits from palm and ficus trees. These behaviors can help birdwatchers distinguish them beyond physical appearance.