West Indian Woodpeckers can be found only in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas.1&2 They stand 10 inches tall and are the largest woodpeckers within the Bahamas.2 Their habitats are mainly tropical forests, including mangrove forests and degraded forests.3
Within Cuba, there are four sub-species.1 They are part of the Picidae family.3 These birds have an important role in their habitats. Like other woodpeckers, they peck into trees to get to the insects that live underneath. They also will create cavities for their nests. When they eat the insects within the tree, they’re helping prevent these insects from jumping over to healthy trees. So they help keep the healthy trees in the area healthy.2
They’re known as Melanerpes superciliaris.3 Their breeding season is from January to August. Females will lay up to 6 eggs and just like other species we’ve spoken about, males and females will share incubation duties.2
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