Red Crowned Woodpecker

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Crowned Woodpecker
Latin: Melanerpes rubricapillus
Other: Carpintero habado (Es)
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia to NW Venezuela

The Red-Crowned Woodpecker was the most visible of the woodpecker family on my visit to Panama in April. They came to fruit feeders at Canopy Lodge, were seen at Ammo Ponds in the Canal Zone and also in the Chiriqui highlands.

The male (directly below) has a red cap, the female (above) only has some pale red at the back of the head. Otherwise barred back and wings, the rest buffish. Indentifiable in Panama by pale cheeks.