Cream-backed woodpecker

The cream-backed woodpecker (Campephilus leucopogon) is a species of bird belonging to the woodpecker family, Picidae. It inhabits the generally open landscapes of the dry Gran Chaco region, with its distribution spanning across north-central Bolivia, western and central Paraguay, north-central Argentina, northern Uruguay, and southeastern Brazil. Its preferred habitats include savannas, woodlands, transitional forests, pastures dotted with trees, and palm groves, and it can be found at elevations up to 2,500 meters.

Description and Identification

This medium-sized woodpecker measures between 28 to 30 cm in length and weighs between 203 to 281 grams. Adult males and females share a predominantly black body below the neck. A distinguishing feature is a creamy band extending from the bill to the ear coverts, bordered by black above and below, which encircles the eye. The upper back is whitish, often with pale cinnamon-buff feather tips, and their flight feathers display significant pale cinnamon on the inner webs. Their bills are described as long and ivory-colored, resembling a chisel, with pale yellow irises and gray legs. Adult males possess a red crest, head, and neck, marked by a small black and white spot on the ear coverts. Adult females have a longer crest than males and lack this covert spot; their head and neck coloration differs, with red on the head and black on the neck. Juveniles resemble adults but exhibit less red plumage, which is more orange in tone.

Behavior and Ecology

The cream-backed woodpecker is a resident species, remaining throughout its range year-round. Its diet primarily consists of beetle larvae, which it extracts by hammering, and less frequently by pecking and probing, often in tall, isolated trees or fallen logs. Foraging is typically solitary, except during the breeding season.

Breeding and Vocalizations

The breeding season for the cream-backed woodpecker begins in September, with peak activity in October and November. They excavate nest holes in trees or palms, with known nests situated 6 to 8 meters above the ground. Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings, though specific details regarding clutch size, incubation period, and fledging time are not extensively documented.

Their vocalizations include a distinctive "pi-ow" or "kwee-yaw" call, sometimes repeated, and partners may exchange "whirring notes." They also communicate with a quiet "ahem" and various soft, squeaky chattering calls. Their drumming pattern is a double tap.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the cream-backed woodpecker as Least Concern. The species benefits from a large geographic range, and its population is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified, although the species is considered poorly known and likely not common.