Cuban green woodpecker

Cuban green woodpecker

Carpintero verde

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
SPECIES
Xiphidiopicus percussus

The Cuban green woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus ) is a species of woodpecker in the family Picidae and tribe Melanerpini, known locally in Cuban Spanish as carpintero verde (literally "green woodpecker"). It is the only species within the genus Xiphidiopicus and is one of two woodpeckers endemic to Cuba. It is the most widespread and common woodpecker in Cuba, inhabiting primarily woodlands, as well as dry and wet forests, pine forests and mangroves. The population of the Cuban green woodpecker is stable and its status is listed as "Least Concern".

Appearance

A medium-sized and colorful bird, the Cuban green woodpecker is similar to a sapsucker in general shape and size. Featuring olive green overparts and yellow, streaked underparts, the Cuban green woodpecker usually appears crested, and features a bright red upper breast, as well as a black chin contrasting a white face and supercilium. In males, a red crown is present, while females possess black crowns with white stripes. The area around the cloaca, or the crissum, is yellow with black barring.

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Its beak is short and straight with a progressively darkening coloration, from dark blue to black from base to tip dark blue to black coloration. They have been shown to have brown irises and grayish green tarsi and toes

Cuban green woodpeckers show slight sexually dimorphic qualities; females have shorter bills and are generally significantly smaller than their male counterparts. Juveniles will show more barring and streaking on their breasts and lack the depth of color adults have in their plumage.

They typically measure between 21 to 25 cm (8.3 to 9.8 in) in length and weigh approximately 48 to 97 g (1.7 to 3.4 oz).

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Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

The Cuban green woodpecker is only found in Cuba, but is extremely common on the island. Its natural habitats are wet and dry forests, mangroves, open woodland with palms, and pine forests, lowland moist forests, and heavily degraded former forest.

Cuban green woodpecker habitat map
Cuban green woodpecker habitat map
Cuban green woodpecker
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Habits and Lifestyle

The Cuban green woodpecker is found most frequently in pairs, and less frequently in small groups. It is able to remain completely still for long periods and will forage for dead insects on dead limbs at any height within its habitat. They are very territorial, especially during breeding season, and use active vocalization, utilizing both drumming and vocal signals, and active pursuit, pursuing threats while flicking their wings, in order deter intruders in their nests, which is usually the West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris ).

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Similarly to all other woodpeckers, its flight is undulating.

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Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

The Cuban green woodpecker's is primarily an insectivore, focusing on large insects, but will also consume fruits and small frogs occasionally. It has also been documented taking eggs of other birds such as herons nesting in mangroves. It will also feed on flower nectar, especially Cordia Sebestena. While perching itself on the plant or on a nearby branch to reach the flowers, it will insert its bill into the floral tube to drink the nectar for a few seconds, by doing so its bill will come into contact with anthers and stigma inside the floral tube, making the bird then act as a pollinator.

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Males and females utilize different ways to exploit food sources, as the male is larger than the female.

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Mating Habits

There is very little known about the courtship of the Cuban green woodpecker. Usually, woodpeckers perform flutter-aerial-display including a gliding flight with wings held well above the back, accompanied by calls. Courtship feeding by male to female most likely occurs as well. They are probably monogamous.

Population

References

1. Cuban green woodpecker Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_green_woodpecker
2. Cuban green woodpecker on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22680880/92884382
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/632145

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