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 Woodpecker: Resident in southwestern Oklahoma and central Texas south into Mexico. Frequents open woods in dry country and river bottoms with trees. Found in open woodlands, particularly in riparian zones. Can be found in isolated groves of trees, and usually avoids dense unbroken forest.

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.

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.