Colaptes auratus chrysocaulosus


This race of Northern Flicker is endemic to Cuba, where it is one of five permanent resident Picidae. (Needless to say, we didn't see the ultimate Cuban woodpecker, the Ivory-billed!) Of those features that delineate this race, the large spots on the underparts and well-marked black crescent-shaped patch on the breast, as well as the very bright golden-yellow underside to the tail, can all be seen on this photograph (from La Güira National Park).