Guatemalan flicker
The Guatemalan flicker is a species of woodpecker found in Middle America, ranging from southern Mexico to Nicaragua. It is characterized by its distinct facial markings, barred back, and a white rump. This species primarily forages on the ground for insects and also consumes fruits and seeds, nesting in excavated cavities in dead trees.
Key Facts
- ›Found from southern Mexico to Nicaragua, and locally in eastern El Salvador.
- ›Inhabits pine, pine-oak, broadleaf deciduous forests, cloud forests, scrublands, plantations, and gardens.
- ›Feeds primarily on insects, supplemented by fruits and seeds, foraging mostly on the ground.
- ›Nests are excavated in diseased or dead trees and branches.
- ›Possesses a distinctive "mustache" marking on the face, which differs in color between sexes.
- ›Assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population is believed to be decreasing.
Mexicanoides Flicker
Middle America, Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador
Pine Forest, Pine-Oak Forest, Broadleaf Deciduous Forest, Cloud Forest, Scrubland, Plantation, Garden
Gray, Cinnamon Rufous, Rufous-Chestnut, Black, Light Brown, White, Red
Cinnamon Or Red Facial 'Mustache', Barred Back, White Rump With Black Spots/Bars
Insects, Fruits, Seeds
Probing Soil, Hammering Into Soil, Extracting Insects From Tree Bark, Using Sticky Barbed Tongue
Excavated Cavity In Diseased Trees, Excavated Cavity In Dead Trees, Excavated Cavity In Dead Branches, Re-Used Existing Cavity
Long Call: 'Keh-Keh-Keh-Keh-Keh-Keh...', Call: 'Wik'A-Wik'A-Wik'A-Wik'A', Call: 'Puh', Call: 'Chur-R-R-R-R', Drum: 'Series of Soft Taps'
About Guatemalan flicker
The Guatemalan flicker (Colaptes mexicanoides) is a species of woodpecker native to Middle America, recognized for its distinctive plumage and ground-foraging habits. Its range extends from southern Mexico down through Guatemala and Honduras, into Nicaragua, with localized occurrences in eastern El Salvador. This species inhabits a variety of forest types, including pine, pine-oak, and broadleaf deciduous forests, as well as cloud forests, scrublands, and even plantations and gardens adjacent to forested areas, typically found at elevations between 750 and 4,000 meters.
Physically, the Guatemalan flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring between 25.9 to 32.9 cm in length and weighing around 115 to 135 grams. Adults display a gray face, throat, and neck, topped with a cinnamon rufous to rufous-chestnut crown and nape. Their backs are distinctly barred with wide black and light brown bands, and they possess a white rump. A notable characteristic is the facial 'mustache' marking, which differs in color between sexes: cinnamon in females and bright red in males. Their underparts are generally dull white with black spots.
The Guatemalan flicker's diet primarily consists of insects, though fruits and seeds are also consumed. Unlike many woodpeckers, it forages extensively on the ground, probing and hammering into the soil to find prey. It also takes insects from tree bark and gathers food from trees and the ground, using its specialized sticky, barbed tongue. While typically seen foraging alone, they may also do so in groups or in loose association with other bird species.
Breeding activities occur at least from late January to May. The species excavates its nest cavities in diseased or dead trees and branches, with both sexes contributing to the effort, though the male reportedly does the majority of the work. They may also reuse existing cavities. Information regarding clutch size, incubation period, and time to fledging is not well-documented.
This species is known for being highly vocal, producing a variety of calls, including a 'raptorlike keh-keh-keh-keh-keh-keh...' long call and a 'wik'a-wik'a-wik'a-wik'a' call. Their drumming is described as a series of soft taps lasting about one second. The IUCN has assessed the Guatemalan flicker as Least Concern, noting its large range. However, its population size is unknown and is believed to be decreasing, with no immediate threats identified. Disturbances that open up forest structures, such as fire or logging, may positively influence local populations by increasing available dead wood.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name of the Guatemalan flicker?
The scientific name of the Guatemalan flicker is Colaptes mexicanoides. It was described by Frédéric de Lafresnaye in 1844. For a period, it was considered a subspecies of other flickers, but was reclassified as a separate species in 2014.
Where is the Guatemalan flicker found?
The Guatemalan flicker is distributed throughout Middle America. Its range extends from southern Mexico, through Guatemala and Honduras, into Nicaragua. It also occurs locally in eastern El Salvador.
What does the Guatemalan flicker eat?
The primary diet of the Guatemalan flicker consists of insects. It also includes fruits and seeds in its diet. Details about the exact proportions are not fully documented, but it is known to consume these items.
How does the Guatemalan flicker forage for food?
This species forages predominantly on the ground, using probing and hammering techniques to capture prey from the soil. It also extracts insects from tree bark and gathers fruits and seeds from trees and the ground, utilizing its sticky, barbed tongue.
What kind of habitat does the Guatemalan flicker prefer?
The Guatemalan flicker inhabits a diverse range of forest types in subtropical and temperate zones. These include pine, pine-oak, and broadleaf deciduous forests. It can also be found in cloud forests, scrublands, plantations, and gardens situated near forests.
What are the physical characteristics of the Guatemalan flicker?
Adult Guatemalan flickers measure between 25.9 to 32.9 cm in length and weigh approximately 115 to 135 grams. They have a gray face, throat, and neck, with a cinnamon-rufous to rufous-chestnut crown and nape. Their back is marked with wide black and light brown bars, and they possess a white rump. A key distinguishing feature is a facial 'mustache,' which is cinnamon in females and bright red in males.
What are the calls of the Guatemalan flicker?
The Guatemalan flicker is quite vocal and produces several distinct sounds. These include a 'raptorlike keh-keh-keh-keh-keh-keh...' long call, a 'wik'a-wik'a-wik'a-wik'a' call, and a 'puh' call composed of short, single notes. It also makes an occasional 'gurgling almost involuntary chur-r-r-r-r' sound. Its drum consists of a series of soft taps lasting about one second.
Related Woodpecker species
Stripe-breasted woodpecker
The stripe-breasted woodpecker is a bird species found in Southeast Asia, inhabiting subtropical and tropical moist forests. It is characterized by its black and white barred plumage, with males and females differing in crown coloration. This species primarily feeds on insects and nests in excavated cavities within rotten tree stumps or trees.
Andean flicker
The Andean flicker is a distinctive woodpecker species found in the open, high-altitude landscapes of South America, including the páramo and puna. It is characterized by its terrestrial foraging behavior, colonial nesting in earthen banks, and a varied vocal repertoire. This species is widespread across several Andean countries and is currently listed as Least Concern.
Grey-crowned woodpecker
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