Puerto Rican Woodpecker Melanerpes portoricensis

The Puerto Rican Woodpecker (Melanerpes portoricensis), or carpintero de Puerto Rico, can be found in all treed habitats on the islands of Puerto Rico and Vieques. These handsome birds are fairly sociable; although territorial during the breeding season, pairs often join with other individuals to form larger groups during the nonbreeding season. During this time, groups may join together in bouts of calling. Parenting duties are shared by both sexes, and they continue to feed young for at least a few weeks after fledging. Unlike many woodpeckers, they are omnivorous, eating a wide variety of arthropods and fruits. Many aspects of their life history and behavior are not well understood.