Golden-collared woodpecker
The golden-collared woodpecker (Veniliornis cassini) is a species of bird found in Brazil, the Guianas, and Venezuela. It typically measures around 16 cm in length and inhabits rainforests, clearings, and open landscapes with trees and shrubs.
Key Facts
- ›Found in Brazil, the Guianas, and Venezuela.
- ›Measures approximately 16 cm in length and weighs 24-38 g.
- ›Males have a red crown, while females have a brown crown with greenish tinges and yellow spots.
- ›Inhabits rainforests, clearings, and open wooded areas.
- ›Primarily feeds on beetles, including Cerambycidae.
- ›Considered Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population trend.
Cassini's Woodcreeper
Brazil, Guianas, Venezuela
Rainforest, Rainforest Clearings, Open Landscapes With Trees and Shrubs
- Golden-yellow nape and hindneck
- Males with red crown
- Females with brown crown with green tinge and whitish yellow spots
- Black barring on underparts
Beetles, Cerambycidae Beetles
Forages Alone Or In Mixed-Species Flocks, Hunts In the Canopy
- Usually rather silent
- Makes a series of 33–35 nasal 'khir' notes, rising in frequency
- Loud, upslurred, rattling trill
About Golden-collared woodpecker
The golden-collared woodpecker, scientifically known as Veniliornis cassini, is a bird species belonging to the woodpecker family Picidae. It is primarily found in Brazil, the Guianas, and Venezuela, inhabiting a range of environments from dense rainforests and their clearings to more open landscapes dotted with trees and shrubs. This species can be observed at elevations from sea level up to 1,500 meters.
Description and Characteristics
Adult golden-collared woodpeckers typically measure around 16 centimeters in length and weigh between 24 and 38 grams. Their plumage exhibits sexual dimorphism, particularly on their heads. Males possess a distinctive red crown, while females have a brown crown with a greenish tinge and whitish-yellow spots at the rear. Both sexes share a predominantly buffish-white face marked with fine darker streaks, and a striking golden-yellow nape and hindneck. Their upperparts are generally yellowish-green with a bronzy sheen, sometimes featuring yellowish barring on the rump. The flight feathers are dark brown with greenish edges, and the secondaries and tertials display white bars. The tail is dark brown with paler bars, and some white appears on the outer two pairs. The underparts are white to pale buffish white, characterized by black to brownish-black barring. Their eyes are dark brown to red-brown, their beaks are dark gray with a paler tip, and their legs range from olive to dark gray or blackish.
Behavior and Ecology
The golden-collared woodpecker is believed to be a year-round resident within its geographic range and is generally a solitary forager, though it will join mixed-species feeding flocks. It frequently hunts in the upper canopy of trees. While its diet is not extensively detailed, it is known to include beetles, specifically from the Cerambycidae family. The species is typically quiet, but it does produce a vocalization described as a series of 33–35 nasal 'khir' notes that rise in frequency, or a loud, upslurred, rattling trill.
Conservation Status
The golden-collared woodpecker is currently assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern. It occupies a large range and, despite not having a precisely known population size, it is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified that would jeopardize its conservation status, though it is noted as a poorly known canopy-dwelling species that can be difficult to observe.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name of the golden-collared woodpecker?
The scientific name of the golden-collared woodpecker is Veniliornis cassini. Some taxonomic systems now place it in the genus Dryobates.
Where is the golden-collared woodpecker found?
This species is distributed across Brazil, the Guianas, and Venezuela, specifically in states like Amazonas and Bolívar.
What are the physical characteristics of the golden-collared woodpecker?
Adults are about 16 cm long, with males having a red crown and females a brown crown. Both sexes share a buffish white face, a golden-yellow nape, and yellowish-green upperparts. Their underparts are white to pale buffish white, barred with black.
What type of habitat does the golden-collared woodpecker prefer?
The golden-collared woodpecker inhabits the interior and clearings of rainforests, as well as more open landscapes that contain trees and shrubs. It can be found from sea level up to 1,500 meters.
What does the golden-collared woodpecker eat?
While its diet is not fully detailed, it is known to consume beetles, including those from the Cerambycidae family. It often forages in the canopy.
What is the conservation status of the golden-collared woodpecker?
The golden-collared woodpecker is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its population is believed to be stable, and no immediate threats have been identified.
Related Woodpecker species
Golden-olive woodpecker
The golden-olive woodpecker is a widespread bird species found from Mexico through South America, excluding Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It inhabits a diverse range of wooded environments, from dry thornscrubs to humid rainforests. This species is characterized by its green upperparts with a bronze tinge and buffy yellow underparts with blackish bars, with males and females differing in head plumage.
European green woodpecker
The European green woodpecker is a large woodpecker characterized by its vibrant green upperparts, pale yellowish-green underparts, red crown, and a distinct black moustachial stripe. Primarily found across Europe and parts of western Asia, this shy bird is more often heard than seen, known for its loud, distinctive calls. It predominantly forages for ants on the ground, a behavior that sets it apart from many other woodpecker species.
Lafresnaye's piculet
Lafresnaye's piculet is a small bird belonging to the woodpecker family, found across parts of South America, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This species is characterized by its olive-brown plumage, distinctive spotting on its head, and barred underparts, with slight variations among its four subspecies.