Melanerpes hypopolius
The Grey-breasted Woodpecker, scientifically known as *Melanerpes hypopolius*, is a distinctive medium-sized avian resident endemic to Mexico's central and southern highlands. Averaging 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing around 40-50 grams, this species exhibits a unique plumage characterized by a soft, unstreaked grey breast and underparts, providing a striking contrast to its finely barred black and white upperparts. A key identifying field mark is the bright red crown patch in ma...
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid woodlands, particularly open oak and oak-pine forests, as well as thorn scrub and matorral at elevations typically ranging from 800 to 2,500 meters (2,600-8,200 feet).
The diet consists primarily of insects, including beetle larvae and ants, supplemented significantly by various fruits and berries, especially during certain seasons. They forage by gleaning, probing, and scaling bark, as well as occasional aerial sallies.
Grey-breasted Woodpeckers are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and typically roosting in excavated tree cavities at night. Their foraging strategy involves a mix of bark scaling and gleaning for insects, frequently inspecting crevices and under loose bark, but they are also adept at...
The Grey-breasted Woodpecker is entirely resident and endemic to central and southern Mexico, with its distribution centered within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and extending into the highlands of Oaxaca. Its range stretches from Jalisco and Michoacán in the west, through México State, Morelos...
Least Concern
- The Grey-breasted Woodpecker is endemic to Mexico, found nowhere else in the world. - It is the only species within the diverse *Melanerpes* genus (which includes iconic species like the Red-headed and Acorn Woodpeckers) that possesses an entirely plain grey breast. - This woodpecker is adapted...