The Golden-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes chrysogenys) is a species of bird in the Picidae family. It is endemic to Mexico, in the western, and southwestern coastal strip on the Pacific Ocean, and the western bordering regions of mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. They are distributed in the coast from Sinaloa to Colima.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and heavily degraded former forest.
Black-and-white barred back, rump, and untacs; mostly pale gray underparts with yellow-tinged belly; small black eye patch; faint yellowish wash on ear patch (cheeks); red crown; yellow forehead and nape. Female, similar but crown pale gray and black, not red.