WHITE-FRONTED WOODPECKER Melanerpes cactorum
This handsome little sap-sucking woodpecker is found mainly in the Paraguayan Chaco where he has a special association with large cacti - hence the Spanish name which translates as "Cactus Woodpecker". He is usually found in pairs or small groups, often chattering noisily to each other.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE504PH) Adult male, Laguna Capitán, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Paul Smith July 2006).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE505PH) Adult dorsal, Laguna Capitán, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Paul Smith October 2006).
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE506PH) Adult lateral, Laguna Capitán, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Jerry Cooper October 2006).
FIGURE 4 - (FPAVE507PH) Adult on cactus, Loma Plata, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2009).
FIGURE 5 - (FPAVE508PH) Same individual (Jonathan Newman October 2009).
FIGURE 6 - (FPAVE509PH) Adult at nest, location unknown (Karina Diarte Photography)
FIGURE 7 - (FPAVE2993PH) Adult ventral, PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Hugo del Castillo August 2011).
VIDEO - (FPAVE510VI) Adult on cactus, Fortín Boquerón, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith November 2010).
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Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this page were taken by Paul Smith, Jerry Cooper, Hugo del Castillo,
Jonathan Newman and Karina Diarte and are used with their permission.