# Golden-fronted Woodpecker (*Melanerpes aurifrons*) The Golden-fronted Woodpecker is a colorful bird with a bright yellow belly and a striking red crown. They love to peck on trees to find tasty bugs and make their homes in wood. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Golden-fronted Woodpecker](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Melanerpes_aurifrons2.jpg&width=800) Photo: www.naturespicsonline.com, Copyrighted free use · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melanerpes_aurifrons2.jpg) ## Appearance The Golden-fronted Woodpecker has a distinctive barred black and white back, with a pale buffy-brown underside. Males sport a vibrant red crown and nape, along with a signature golden-yellow patch at the base of their bill. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Piciformes - **Family:** Picidae - **Genus:** Melanerpes ## Interesting facts - Their loud drumming on trees is often a way to attract a mate! - They sometimes tap on metal poles or signs for an extra loud sound! - They store acorns and other seeds in tree holes for later meals! - This bird can stretch its amazing tongue almost twice its head length! ## Special abilities - **Head-Banging Power:** Golden-fronted Woodpecker has a specially adapted skull that absorbs shock, helping them hammer wood without injury. - **Sticky Tongue:** Golden-fronted Woodpecker can extend a long, barbed tongue to extract insects hidden deep within tree bark. - **Clinging Claws:** Golden-fronted Woodpecker has zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two back) that help them grip tree trunks tightly. - **Tail Prop:** Golden-fronted Woodpecker uses stiff tail feathers as a strong prop, helping them balance while climbing and drilling. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 22-26 cm - **Wingspan:** 40-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.068-0.101 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-7 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days ## Diet & Feeding These omnivores enjoy insects, fruits, nuts, and even cactus fruit to stay healthy! - **Primary Foods:** Beetle larvae, Ants, Grasshoppers, Berries, Cactus fruit, Acorns, Nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common hawk that preys on adult woodpeckers. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Screech-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-screech-owl) (*Otus asio*) — An owl that hunts nestlings and sleeping adults. - **Depends on:** Engelmann's Prickly Pear (*Opuntia engelmannii*) — Eats fruit from this common cactus for food and moisture. - **Depends on:** Plateau Live Oak (*Quercus fusiformis*) — Nests in and gathers acorns from this oak species. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching woodpeckers from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Golden-fronted Woodpecker? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Golden-fronted Woodpecker? 22-26 cm ### What is Golden-fronted Woodpecker's wingspan? 40-45 cm ### How much does Golden-fronted Woodpecker weigh? 0.068-0.101 kg ### How long does Golden-fronted Woodpecker live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Golden-fronted Woodpecker move? 35 km/h ### What does Golden-fronted Woodpecker eat? These omnivores enjoy insects, fruits, nuts, and even cactus fruit to stay healthy! ### Where is Golden-fronted Woodpecker usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Fort Brown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-brown) — US · Historic Site - [Fort McIntosh](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-mcintosh) — US · Historic Site - [National Butterfly Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-butterfly-center) — Texas, US · Nature Reserve - [Oakwood Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oakwood-cemetery) — Texas, US · Historic Site - [San Antonio Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-botanical-garden) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Golden-fronted Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/golden-fronted-woodpecker) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Golden-fronted Woodpecker: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-fronted-woodpecker)