Yellow-vented Woodpecker

About the Yellow-vented Woodpecker

The yellow-vented woodpecker (Veniliornis dignus) is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The International Ornithological Committee and BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World place the yellow-vented woodpecker in genus Veniliornis. However, starting in 2018, the American Ornithological Society and the Clements taxonomy moved all species of genus Veniliornis into genus Dryobates.

The above taxonomic systems recognize three subspecies, the nominate dignus (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1877), baezae (Chapman, 1923), and valdizani (Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1902). The yellow-vented woodpecker is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs 35 to 46 g (1.2 to 1.6 oz). Males and females have the same plumage except on their heads. Adults of both sexes of the nominate subspecies have a mostly blackish olive face with white stripes behind and below the eye. Males are red from forehead to nape with black feather bases showing through. The female is entirely blackish there. Both sexes' mantle and back are yellow-green with a bronze tinge; their... Wikipedia →