Staff of the Animal Surveillance Brigade (BVA) of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) went to a home in the Gustavo A. Madero mayor’s office, where They sheltered a Mexican woodpecker in delicate health conditions.
The bird was found in a private garden in the colony San Juan de Aragón Second Sectionwhere a citizen, 47 years old, observed that the bird had difficulty moving.
Worried about him animal welfarethe citizen carefully moved it to a cardboard box and requested support from the authorities.
After arriving at the home, the police officers BVA They identified the bird as a mexican woodpeckera native species of Mexico and from areas of North and Central America, recognized for its plumage and particular characteristics.
Review and protection of the bird in Xochimilco
After an initial visual inspection, BVA brigade members determined that the woodpecker needed veterinary care.
The team moved the bird to the facilities of the Brigade in the Xochimilco mayor’s officewhere you will receive the necessary care from a zootechnical veterinary doctor. The bird will remain under observation for later release in a suitable habitat.
This rescue is part of the activities of the Animal Surveillance Brigade, which works to safeguard both domestic and wild fauna at risk in Mexico City.
The BVA is not only dedicated to the rescue of endangered species, but also emphasizes the importance of respectful coexistence with animals and their protection.
Mexican carpenter
The Mexican woodpecker, also known as the acorn woodpecker or Mexican woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), is a fascinating species and very characteristic of the forests and mountainous areas of Mexico and other countries in America.
It stands out not only for its striking plumage, which usually combines black, white and touches of red, but also for its interesting storage and feeding behaviors.
Physical characteristics
This bird measures between 18 and 23 centimeters in length, with predominantly black plumage on the back and white on the chest, with a bright red patch on the head, particularly in males. Its beak is long and strong, ideal for drilling wood in search of insects.
Unique behavior: acorn storage
The Mexican woodpecker is known for its habit of storing large quantities of acorns. In the trees, they drill holes to store acorns and other foods, forming authentic “barns” in the trunks.
This behavior is not only for their own consumption, but also helps preserve food during times of scarcity and feed their colony. It has even been observed that these “storehouses” can contain up to thousands of acorns, and can sometimes extend to posts and other wooden structures.
Habitat and distribution
It is common in pine, oak, and coniferous forests in mountainous areas from the southwestern United States to Central America, including much of Mexico. It adapts well to dry and high environments, and its distribution extends from Baja California to Oaxaca and Veracruz.
This bird plays an important role in the ecosystem, as it controls insect populations and helps disperse seeds, especially acorns, which contributes to the growth of oaks.
Its presence is also key for other species, since the holes it makes in trees are usually used by other animals as shelters or nests.
Its behavior and appearance make the Mexican woodpecker one of the most fascinating birds in North American ecosystems, especially in Mexico.