[2] The West Indian woodpecker was originally described as Picus superciliaris and has also been assigned to genus Centurus.

The population on Grand Bahama Island was also sometimes treated as subspecies M. s. bahamensis; it is apparently extinct.

Juveniles are duller overall than adults, have indistinct barring and often a reddish tinge on the upperparts, and have a larger but less distinct red patch on the belly.

It has a darker and grayer face and underparts and a greenish-buff tinge to the upper back's pale bars.

[7] The subspecies of West Indian woodpecker are found thus:[2][7] The West Indian woodpecker subspecies on mainland Cuba and Isla de la Juventud inhabit a variety of wooded landscapes, especially those with abundant royal palms (Roystonea regia), at elevations between sea level and 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

M. s. caymanensis inhabits most wooded landscapes on Grand Cayman but is most abundant in forest on limestone areas with little soil, where the vegetation is sparse and low.

[7] The West Indian woodpecker's diet includes arthropods (mostly insects and spiders), vertebrates such as frogs and lizards, and seeds and fruit of many families.

[7] The West Indian woodpecker nests between February and August and sometimes produces two broods in a year.

The West Indian woodpecker makes a "kwirr" or "churr", "a loud, rolling call...with a vaguely screaming quality" that is typically given from a perch.

The species' drumming is "rapid tapping on a resonant surface such as a dead tree or utility pole to produce a steady roll (8), at a rate of c 17 strokes per second."

The species has generally been resilient following hurricanes, but the increasing number and intensity of the storms due to climate change may prevent rebound.