Colaptes auricularis (Salvin & Godman, 1889)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

The grey-crowned woodpecker (scientific name Colaptes auricularis (Salvin & Godman, 1889)) measures 19.5 to 21 cm (7.7 to 8.3 in) long and weighs approximately 65 g (2.3 oz).

Sexual Dimorphism Overview

Males and females have identical plumage across most of their bodies, differing only in head patterning.

Adult Male Head Plumage

Adult males have a light gray crown and nape, pale brownish buff lores and sides of the head that sometimes bear indistinct grayish bars. They have a wide red stripe below this brownish buff area, and a dull white chin and upper throat, the latter marked with dull grayish bars.

Adult Female Head Plumage

Adult females have no red coloring on the head.

Upperparts Coloration

For both sexes, most upperparts are pale olive to olive green, while the rump and uppertail coverts are barred with pale yellow or yellowish white. Their wings are a brighter shade of olive green than their back.

Tail Structure and Coloration

The tail is pale yellowish olive green, with dusky tips on the central feathers and sometimes darker bars or spots on the outer feathers.

Underparts Coloration

Their underparts are yellowish white or pale yellowish, marked with irregular olive bars.

Bare Parts Morphology

The bill is dark gray, the iris is brown, and the legs are gray.

Juvenile Plumage

Juvenile grey-crowned woodpeckers look similar to adult females, with less distinct barring on the underparts; juvenile males have red facial stripes mixed with gray.

Geographical Range

This species is found in western Mexico, ranging from southern Sonora and Chihuahua to southern Oaxaca.

Habitat Preferences

It lives in the interior and edges of semi-humid and humid forest, and also occurs locally in pine-oak forest.

Elevational Range

Its elevational range extends from near sea level up to 2,400 m (7,900 ft).