Golden-fronted Woodpecker

The Golden-fronted Woodpecker is common across brushland, riparian corridors, and open woodland of Texas, Oklahoma, and much of Mexico into Central America. It resembles other Melanerpes woodpeckers in its barred back and plain pale underparts, but carries golden-yellow rather than red accents on the nape and face.

Males add a small red crown patch to the golden nape and nasal tufts, while females lack the red but retain the yellow markings, making the sexes easy to tell apart at close range.

• Back and wings: black-and-white barred, a shared pattern among many Melanerpes woodpeckers
• Nape and nasal tufts: golden-yellow patches, distinctive for this species
• Crown: males show a small red patch above the golden nape; females lack red
• Underparts: pale grayish-buff, unmarked
• Vs. Gila Woodpecker: Golden-fronted shows golden-yellow nape and nasal patches, while Gila Woodpecker has a plain gray-tan head without yellow, aside from a small red crown patch on males

Males show a red crown patch above the golden nape and nasal tufts; females lack the red crown but retain the yellow markings. Juveniles are duller with a mottled crown and less defined yellow patches. A single annual molt follows the breeding season.

Resident across brushland, mesquite, riparian woodland, and open forest edge from Texas and Oklahoma south through much of Mexico into Central America. It does not migrate and remains on territory throughout the year.

Forages on trunks and branches for insects and also eats fruit and berries, adapting readily to a mixed diet. It nests in cavities excavated in dead trees, utility poles, or agave stalks. Calls include a rolling, chattering note, and it drums in short, sharp bursts on resonant wood.