Woodpeckers (Picidae)

Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani) - HBW 7, p. 441

French: Pic de Pucheran German: Schläfenfleckspecht Spanish: Carpintero Centroamericano
Other common names: Pucheran’s Woodpecker

Taxonomy: Zebrapicus Pucherani Malherbe, 1849, Tobago; error = Colombia.
Sometimes placed in a separate genus Tripsurus, along with M. chrysauchen, M. cruentatus and M. flavifrons. Forms a superspecies with first of those, or both sometimes included in the superspecies represented by last two. N populations sometimes separated as race perileucus, with supposed tendency towards stronger white barring on upperparts and wings, but much overlap occurs with S populations and racial separation considered not sustainable. Monotypic.

Distribution: S Mexico (Veracruz, Chiapas) S to W Colombia and W Ecuador (S to El Oro; may also occur in W Loja).