Scarlet-breasted woodpecker
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Scarlet- breasted Woodpecker ( Melanerpes portoricensis ) |
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| Melanerpes portoricensis | ||||||||||
| ( F. Daudin , 1803) |
The Puerto Rican Woodpecker ( Melanerpes portoricensis ) is a species of bird from the family of woodpeckers (Picidae). This very small species of woodpecker is endemic to Puerto Rico in the Caribbean and inhabits forests of all kinds there. The food that is mainly sought on trunks and thicker branches consists mainly of beetle larvae, ants, earwigs and other insects as well as fruits and seeds. Occasionally small vertebrates are also eaten. The scarlet breast woodpecker is quite common and is classified by the IUCN as 
(= least concern - not endangered).
description
Scarlet-breasted woodpeckers are quite small woodpeckers with a long, slightly chisel-shaped, pointed beak, which is wide at the base. The ridge of the beak is bent downwards. The body length is about 22 cm and the weight 45-72 g; they are therefore somewhat smaller and lighter than a great spotted woodpecker . In contrast to many other woodpecker species, the species shows only a slight sexual dimorphism in terms of color, but males are slightly larger and around 12% heavier than females and have a significantly longer beak.
All in all, the animals are very high-contrast three-tone black, white and red. The lower back, the rump and the upper tail-coverts are white. The entire rest of the upper side including the skull, neck and upper wing-coverts is solid black with a blue sheen. The wings are predominantly brown-black on the upper side with a slightly bluish sheen on the outer edges of the outer flags . The umbrella feathers are variable in white at the base of the inner flags , the arm wings occasionally have white tips. The black color of the top is mostly extended to the sides of the chest, the chest and middle of the abdomen are otherwise bright red. The flanks and the leg fletching are reddish brown, the under tail-coverts are pale brown. The under wing-coverts are black and white, the underside of the wings is brown, those of the tail are black.
The beak is blackish, legs and toes are gray. The iris is dark brown.
Males show a white area at the base of the beak, on the front forehead and in a narrow ring around the eye, which is slightly reddish on the forehead. The top of the head, neck and the upper sides of the head to just below the eye are black with a blue sheen like the rest of the upper side, the lower sides of the head, neck and throat are bright red like the chest. In the female, the white color at the base of the beak extends higher on the forehead; The chin, throat and beard are usually brown and the red color of the abdomen is usually less extensive and paler and tends to be orange to yellow. Young birds are very similar to adult females, but the black color is less shiny. Young males usually have a few red tips on their heads. The intraspecies variability is very low and no subspecies are recognized.
distribution and habitat
The scarlet breasted woodpecker is endemic to Puerto Rico in the Caribbean , where it inhabits the main island as well as the small island of Vieques . It is the only species of woodpecker there. The size of the total distribution area is estimated at only about 8900 km². The species inhabits forests of all kinds there, the spectrum ranges from coconut palm plantations and mangroves on the coast to mountain forests. The greatest density is apparently reached in the hilly and low mountain regions.
Way of life
Food is sought in trees, especially on trunks and thick branches, and when looking for fruit in the treetops. These woodpeckers mainly eat beetle larvae, ants, earwigs and other insects as well as fruits and seeds. Occasionally small vertebrates are also eaten. The sexes have different strategies for obtaining food. Males look for food primarily in the low and medium-high areas of the trees and do this primarily by chopping and looking in crevices and holes, while females move more in the middle and upper parts of the trees and primarily read food.
Reproduction
Scarlet-breasted woodpeckers breed in single pairs. The cave construction begins in January, the caves are usually created in dead branches at a greater height. The eggs are laid in April and May, the clutch usually comprises four eggs. The nestlings are fed by both parents and are looked after for at least 14 days after they have left. The families often stay together longer.
Existence and endangerment
There is no information on the size of the world population, but the species is quite common in most of its range and the population is apparently stable. It is therefore classified by the IUCN as safe ("least concern").
swell
Individual evidence
literature
- Hans Winkler , David A. Christie and David Nurney: Woodpeckers. A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets, and Wrynecks of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge 1995, ISBN 0-395-72043-5 , pp. 54-55 and 197.
Web links
- Melanerpes portoricensis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed on 15 February, 2010.
- Videos, photos, and sound recordings of Melanerpes portoricensis in the Internet Bird Collection , accessed February 15, 2010