Picid in Focus: Eurasian Wryneck

Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla. There are two species of wryneck and they both differ from 'true' woodpeckers in many respects. For example, wrynecks do not excavate their own nest-holes but rather use those of other species or natural cavities. Photo by Gerard Gorman, Hungary, May 2013. 

Primary and Secondary Cavity Users

Most woodpeckers excavate their own holes in trees in which to breed and roost. They are 'primary cavity users'. Many other birds that cannot create such cavities, but need them as nesting sites, depend upon woodpecker holes. Such species are called 'secondary cavity users'. Here is an example: a young Tengmalm's Owl (aka Boreal Owl) looks out from a Black Woodpecker hole. In some cases the distribution and even breeding success of secondary cavity users is linked to woodpeckers. Photo by Thomas Hochebner taken in Austria. 

Sounds: Northern Flicker

This race Colaptes auratus chrysocaulosus is endemic to Cuba.

A female making a typical sharp call

Recorded near the Zapata Swamp, Cuba, 2013, by Gerard Gorman.

Picid in Focus: Crimson-bellied Woodpecker

Male Crimson-bellied Woodpecker Campephilus haematogaster. The sexes are fairly similar - females have a pale stripe down the sides of the neck which males lack. Photo taken in Peru in November 2012 by Gerard Gorman.

Sounds: Cuban Green Woodpecker

This species is endemic to Cuba.

A male making typical call

Recorded in the Zapata Swamp, Cuba, 2013, by Gerard Gorman.

Picid in Focus: West Indian Woodpecker

Male West Indian Woodpecker Melanerpes superciliaris. Note that all the crown is red, females have black rear-crown and red only on the nape. Photo by Gerard Gorman, Cuba, March 2013.