General

Golden-fronted Woodpecker: Medium-sized woodpecker with black-and-white barred back and wings, white rump, yellow-orange nape, red cap, yellow patch at base of upper mandible, and buff-gray face and underparts. Female lacks red cap; juvenile has streaked breast and lacks red cap and yellow nape and bill patches.

Range and Habitat

Golden-fronted Woodpecke: Resident in southwestern Oklahoma and central Texas. Frequents open woods in dry country and river bottoms with trees.

Breeding and Nesting

Golden-fronted Woodpecker: Four to seven white eggs are laid in a nest made of bark chips, and built from 3 to 25 feet above the ground in a cavity in a dead or living tree, utility pole, fence post, or man-made structure. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Golden-fronted Woodpecker: Eats insects, spiders, wild berries, fruits, nuts, acorns, and seeds. Forages low on trees and on the ground.

Readily Eats

Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Sugar Water, Fruit

Vocalization

Golden-fronted Woodpecker: Song is a noisy trill "churrrrrrr-churrrrrrrr", flicker-like "kek-kek-kek-kek-kek-kek" or "check, check."

Similar Species

Golden-fronted Woodpecker: Red-bellied Woodpecker is similar, but male has red restricted to cap, orange nape, and yellow forecrown; female lacks red but has orange nape.