The Crimson-crested Woodpecker (Campephilus melanoleucos) is found in Panama south to northern Argentina, and on Trinidad, where it occurs in forests and more open woodland.
Description:
The Crimson-crested Woodpecker measures about 36 cm in length and weighs 250g.
Adults are mainly black above, with a red crest and white lines down the sides of the black throat and shoulders, which meet in a V on the back.
The plumage below is white, heavily barred with black. They show white on the wings in flight. Adult males have a red line from the bill to the throat and red on the front of the crown. In adult females, these plumage features are black.
Similar Species:
The Lineated Woodpecker has a narrower white face line and the white shoulder lines do not meet on the back.
Diet:
Crimson-crested Woodpeckers chip out holes in trees searching out insects. They mainly eat insects, including beetle larvae, but will also take some berries.
Call / Song:
The call of this widespread but wary bird is a loud, ringing CHEE-sic. Both sexes drum.
Breeding / Nesting
Two white eggs are laid in a nest hole is in a dead tree and incubated by both sexes.
Member of the Picidae Family: Woodpeckers … Sapsuckers … Flickers
