Checkered woodpecker

The checkered woodpecker (Veniliornis mixtus) is a readily identifiable bird species belonging to the woodpecker family, Picidae, and is found across several South American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its common name derives from the striking black and white barring that adorns its upperparts, complemented by streaked underparts which are typically white or buff with dark brown markings. Adult males and females share similar plumage, with the primary distinction lying in their head and nape coloration: males possess a red or orange-red nape, while females have a black nape. Males also often display white or buffish white streaks on their crown, a feature less pronounced in females.

This species primarily inhabits a variety of wooded environments, ranging from humid open woodlands and gallery forests to savannas and cerrado woodlands. One subspecies, V. m. berlepschi, is particularly noted for inhabiting arid bushlands characterized by mesquite trees. The checkered woodpecker typically measures around 14 cm in length and weighs between 30 and 37 grams. Its diet consists mainly of insects and seeds, which it procures through gleaning from branches and probing into bark and wood. The breeding season spans from September to November, during which both sexes excavate nest holes in trees or palms, usually between 3 to 6 meters above the ground. The IUCN assesses the checkered woodpecker as Least Concern, noting its extensive range and a presumed stable population. While its movements are not extensively documented, populations in parts of Brazil are only present between January and May, suggesting some localized seasonal presence, though true migration is not clearly established.