Crimson-crested woodpecker

The crimson-crested woodpecker (Campephilus melanoleucos), also known historically as the buff-crested woodpecker, is a striking bird species belonging to the woodpecker family, Picidae. It is one of the largest woodpeckers to inhabit its extensive range, which spans Panama, Trinidad, and most mainland South American countries, excluding Chile and Uruguay.

Description and Identification

Measuring between 33 to 36 cm in length and weighing 225 to 281 grams, the crimson-crested woodpecker is notable for its size. Adult males display a predominantly red head, accented by a white patch at the base of their bill and a small black-and-white spot on their ear coverts. Females, in contrast, have black around their eyes and the front of their crest, distinguished by a broad white stripe edged in black that extends from the bill down the side of their neck. Both sexes share black upperparts, with white stripes running from the nape down the neck and onto the back, forming a "V" shape. Their wings and tail are brownish-black, and flight feathers often have pale white or yellowish edges. The lower breast and belly are a pale cinnamon buff to tawy, marked with wide black bars. Their bill is a significant feature, described as a long, ivory chisel. The iris is white to yellow, and their legs are various shades of gray.

Distribution and Habitat

The nominate subspecies, C. m. melanoleucos, is the most widespread, found across Trinidad, from eastern Colombia eastward through Venezuela and the Guianas, down the eastern side of the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay, across much of Amazonian Brazil, and into northeastern Argentina. Subspecies C. m. malherbii is found in Panama and northern/central Colombia, while C. m. cearae inhabits northeastern Brazil. These woodpeckers thrive in a diverse array of forested environments, showing a preference for large tracts of humid lowland forests, such as terra firme and riverine forests, as well as mature secondary forests. They can also be found in somewhat more open areas, including plantations, provided that tall trees are present.

Behavior and Ecology

The crimson-crested woodpecker forages at all levels of the forest, often favoring the mid-level. Its feeding techniques include pecking, probing, digging, and scaling bark to access its prey. The diet is primarily insectivorous, with a strong preference for beetles, butterflies, moths, and ants, including both adults and larvae. Termites, small berries, and seeds also supplement their diet. Pairs frequently forage together, though they may maintain some distance. The species breeds at different times across its range, with nesting periods noted from November through January in Panama and February to April in Suriname. Both male and female birds participate in excavating the nest cavity, typically in substantial trees. Drumming and vocalizations are common during this excavation phase. A known clutch size consists of two eggs, with both parents sharing incubation and the care of young.

Vocalizations

While not considered highly vocal, the crimson-crested woodpecker possesses a range of calls. During the breeding season, a common call is a "hollow, popping series of notes," sometimes delivered as a rapid chatter. Other calls between pairs include "kwirr kwirr-al," "wuk wuk, wrr wrr," and "uh uh." Alarm calls are described as a "repeated ca-wa-rr-r" or a "shrill put put puttas." The species' characteristic drumming is initiated with a strong blow, followed by a vibrating tremble of weaker notes, often rendered as "DA-drrr." Steady drumming has also been noted during nest excavation, and their wings produce a "heavy sound" in flight.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the crimson-crested woodpecker as Least Concern. The species boasts an extremely large range and an estimated population exceeding five million mature individuals. However, there is a belief that this population is currently decreasing. Deforestation poses the most significant human-induced impact, leading to a substantial loss of suitable habitat for the species over time.