Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'common' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline locally owing to ongoing habitat destruction (del Hoyo et al. 2002). Locally, hurricanes can lead to sharp population declines, but the species shows a considerable resilience and appears able to recover within only two years after a severe hurricane (M. Akresh in litt. 2020; Akresh et al. 2020). About 5% of tree cover has been lost within the range over the past ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021); consequently, population declines are likely to be very low, not exceeding 10% over ten years.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Akresh, M., Butchart, S. & Ekstrom, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: West Indian Woodpecker Melanerpes superciliaris. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/west-indian-woodpecker-melanerpes-superciliaris on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.