Woodpeckers
| Order: PICIFORMES - Family: PICIDAE |
| Species currently existing 254 - in region 45 |
Appearance: They generally exhibit striking plumage patterns that often include combinations of black, white, red, and yellow. These colors can vary significantly between different species. Woodpeckers have strong, sharp beaks adapted for drilling into trees, and their feet have zygodactyl toes (two toes facing forward and two backward) for better grip on vertical surfaces.
Habitat: They prefer habitats that provide ample trees, such as: Tropical and temperate forests, montane forests, wooded savannas, mangroves in some coastal areas
Behavior: Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects, especially wood-boring larvae, but they also consume fruits and nuts. They use their chiseling ability to extract food from tree bark and wood. They are famous for their drumming behavior, which is a form of communication used to establish territory and attract mates. Woodpeckers are often solitary or found in pairs, although some species may form small groups outside the breeding season.
Breeding: Woodpeckers create nests by excavating holes in dead or decaying trees. The size and depth of the nest can vary based on the species. Most species are monogamous and both parents typically participate in raising the young. Clutches usually consist of 2 to 6 eggs, which are incubated for about 12 to 14 days, depending on the species.
Bar-breasted Piculet
Picumnus aurifrons
Spanish Name: Carpinterito frentidorado
Size: 3.5 in | 9 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, forest edges, and wooded areas.
Height: <400 m
Photo: © Marcos Eugênio Birding Guide eBird S40912187 Macaulay Library ML 103487401
Orinoco Piculet
Picumnus pumilus
Spanish Name: Carpinterito del Orinoco
Size: 4 in | 10 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, forest edges, and wooded areas, where they feed.
Height: <350 m
Photo: © Denis Tétreault eBird S65727989 Macaulay Library ML 221815061
Lafresnaye’s Piculet
Picumnus lafresnayi
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Barrado
Size: 3.5 in | 9 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, forest edges, and wooded areas, where they forage.
Height: <400 m
Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S49100988 Macaulay Library ML 121397091
Golden-spangled Piculet
Picumnus exilis
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Capirotado
Size: 3.5 in | 9 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, forest edges, and wooded areas.
Height: <250 m
Photo: © Gabriel Leite eBird S52476360 Macaulay Library ML 141894551
Scaled Piculet
Picumnus squamulatus
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Escamado
Size: 3.5 in | 9 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests.
Height: <1600 m
Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S128239366 Macaulay Library ML 535108241
White-bellied Piculet
Picumnus spilogaster
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Ventriblanco
Size: 4 in | 10 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, forest edges, and wooded areas.
Height: <1000 m
Photo: © Luke Seitz eBird S33926567 Macaulay Library ML 61139521
Rufous-breasted Piculet
Picumnus rufiventris
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Pechirrufo
Size: 4 in | 10 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, forest edges, and wooded areas.
Height: <1100 m
Photo: © Will Sweet eBird S47549454 Macaulay Library ML 109181001
Plain-breasted Piculet
Picumnus castelnau
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Pechiblanco
Size: 3.5 in | 9 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, forest edges, and woodland areas.
Height: <200m
Photo: © Luis Rodriguez eBird S49570795
Olivaceus Piculet
Picumnus olivaceus
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Oliváceo
Size: 3.5 in | 9 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, forest edges, and secondary growth areas.
Height: <1800 m
Photo: © Dušan Brinkhuizen eBird S77704896 Macaulay Library ML 289740691
Grayish Piculet
Picumnus granadensis
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Punteado
Size: 3.5 in | 9 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, forest edges, and wooded areas.
Height: 300-2100 m
Photo: © Peter Hawrylyshyn eBird S29009805 Macaulay Library ML 27199951
Chestnut Piculet
Picumnus cinnamomeus
Spanish Name: Carpinterito Castaño
Size: 4 in | 10 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests as well as heavily degraded former forest.
Height: <300 m
Photo: © Fabrice Schmitt eBird S48280572 Macaulay Library ML 115249301
Powerful Woodpecker
Campephilus pollens
Spanish Name: Carpintero Gigante
Size: 14.5 in | 37 cm
Habitat: Mix of coniferous and broadleaf trees, creating a diverse environment that supports a variety of plant and animal species.
Height: 1500-3000 m
Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S70537342 Macaulay Library ML 244150351
Splendid Woodpecker (Crimson-bellied Woodpecker)
Campephilus splendens
Spanish Name: Carpintero Espléndido
Size: 13 in | 33 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests and wooded habitats.
Height: 200-1100 m
Photo: © Francisco Piedrahita https://flickr.com
Crimson-bellied Woodpecker
Campephilus haematogaster
Spanish Name: Carpintero Selvático
Size: 13 in | 33 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests and woodlands and lowland and foothill forests.
Height: 500-1500 m
Photo: © Andrew Spencer eBird S27876039 Macaulay Library ML 33106961
Red-necked Woodpecker
Campephilus rubricollis
Spanish Name: Carpintero Cuellirrojo
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests and wooded habitats.
Height: <850 m
Photo: © Örjan Sjögren eBird S40980821 Macaulay Library ML 79212701
Crimson-crested Woodpecker
Campephilus melanoleucus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Marcial
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests and woodlands and lowland and foothill forests.
Height: <2000 m
Photo: © Rolando Jordan eBird S30381005 Macaulay Library ML 30601971
Guayaquil Woodpecker
Campephilus gayaquilensis
Spanish Name: Carpintero de Guayaquil
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: High-altitude cloud forests ranging from Colombia to northern Peru.
Height: <800 m
Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S13357458 Macaulay Library ML 121433471
White-throated Woodpecker
Piculus leucolaemus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Bigotudo
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests and woodlands and lowland and foothill forests.
Height: <1000 m
Photo: © Silvia Faustino Linhares eBird S47697432 Macaulay Library ML 111077111
Lita Woodpecker
Piculus litae
Spanish Name: Carpintero de Litá
Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Humid montane forests and adjacent habitats.
Height: <800 m
Photo: © Tim Forrester eBird S36119168 Macaulay Library ML 56902861
Yellow-throated Woodpecker
Piculus flavigula
Spanish Name: Carpintero Cariamarillo
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Humid montane forests and adjacent habitats.
Height: <600 m
Photo: © Luiz Carlos Ramassotti eBird S55687414 Macaulay Library ML166923081
Colombian Golden-green Woodpecker
Piculus (chrysochloros) xanthochlorus (subsp)
Spanish Name: Carpintero Dorado
Size: 19 in | 24 cm
Habitat: Humid montane forests and adjacent habitats
Height: <400 m
Photo: ©
Guainan Golden-green Woodpecker
Piculus (chrysochloros) capistratus (subsp.)
Spanish Name: Carpintero Dorado
Size: 10.5 in | 27 cm
Habitat: Humid montane forests and adjacent habitats.
Height: <500 m
Photo: ©
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker
Colaptes rivolii
Spanish Name: Carpintero Carmesí
Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: High-altitude forests and montane areas.
Height: 1800-3500 m
Photo: © David M. Bell eBird S21638643 Macaulay Library ML 30788911
Spot-breasted Woodpecker
Colaptes punctigula
Spanish Name: Carpintero Pechipunteado
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests and woodlands and lowland and foothill forests.
Height: <1500 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Golden-olive Woodpecker
Colaptes rubiginosus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Cariblanco
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: High-altitude forests and montane areas.
Height: 900-3300 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Cinnamon Woodpecker
Celeus loricatus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Canelo
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, wooded areas, and forest edges.
Height: <900 m
Photo: © Stephen Gast eBird S32802569 Macaulay Library ML 190568891
Amazonian Black-breasted Woodpecker (Ringed Woodpecker)
Celeus occidentalis
Spanish Name: Carpintero Anillado
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, wooded areas, and forest edges.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S189173543 Macaulay Library ML 621937610
Cream-colored Woodpecker
Celeus flavus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Amarillo
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, wooded areas, and forest edges.
Height: <700 m
Photo: © Silvia Faustino Linhares eBird S46591589 Macaulay Library ML 106643141
Rufus-headed Woodpecker
Celeus spectabilis
Spanish Name: Carpintero Cabecirrufo
Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests.
Height: <600 m
Photo: © Andrew Spencer eBird S27819400 Macaulay Library ML 285623641
Waved Woodpecker
Celeus undatus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Ondulado
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Humid forests and wooded areas.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S113090608 Macaulay Library ML 460081251
Chestnut Woodpecker
Celeus elegans
Spanish Name: Carpintero Martillo
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Forested habitats, tropical and subtropical forests.
Height: <600 m
Photo: © Brayan Coral Jaramillo eBird S26407078 Macaulay Library ML 22223551
Lineated Woodpecker
Hylatomus lineatus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Real
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Mature forests, woodlands, and forest edges.
Height: <2200 m
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Spanish Name: Carpintero Chupasavia
Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Wooded habitats, including forests, woodlots, and suburban areas with suitable trees.
Height: <2000 m
Photo: © Monique Maynard eBird S55315612 Macaulay Library ML 153240121
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
Spanish Name: Carpintero de Robledales
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Oak woodlands and mixed forests, where they forage on insects, fruits, and nuts, and their stored acorns.
Height: 1400-3000 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker
Melanerpes cruentatus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Cejón
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Wooded habitats, forests, woodlands, and urban areas with suitable trees.
Height: <1300 m
Photo: © Justyn Stahl eBird S27147684 Macaulay Library ML 120903861
Beautiful Woodpecker
Melanerpes pulcher
Spanish Name: Carpintero Bonito
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Forested habitats, including tropical rainforests, wooded areas, and even urban parks and gardens.
Height: <150-1500 m
Photo: © Juan Carlos Luna Garcia eBird S122826687 Macaulay Library ML 506385891
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
Melanerpes pucherani
Spanish Name: Carpintero de Antifaz
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Forested habitats, tropical and subtropical forests.
Height: < 700m
Photo: © Henk Bogaard iStock/Getty Images Plus
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Melanerpes rubricapillus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Habado
Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, and wooded areas.
Height: <1700 m
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Smoky-brown Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus fumigatus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Pardo
Size: 6.5 in | 16.5 cm
Habitat: Forested habitats, pine forests and oak woodlands.
Height: 1200-2800 m
Photo: © Tim Forrester eBird S33554868 Macaulay Library ML 44917511
Red-rumped Woodpecker
Veniliornis kirkii
Spanish Name: Carpintero Culirrojo
Size: 6.5 in | 16.5 cm
Habitat: Forested habitats, pine forests and oak woodlands.
Height: <1300 m
Photo: © Matt Kelly eBird S34937806 Macaulay Library ML 49928441
Little Woodpecker
Veniliornis passerinus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Ribereño
Size: 6.5 in | 16.5 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, where they forage on tree trunks and branches for food.
Height: <1200 m
Photo: © Martjan Lammertink eBird S29307699 Macaulay Library ML 79300181
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker
Veniliornis callonotus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Escarlata
Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, where they feed on insects, larvae, and other invertebrates.
Height: 600-1250 m
Photo: © Gerald Friesen eBird S52314661 Macaulay Library ML 138564371
Yellow-vented Woodpecker
Veniliornis dignus
Spanish Name: Carpintero Buchiamarillo
Size: 6.5 in | 16.5 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, wooded savannas, and forest edges.
Height: 1200-2700 m
Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S159626938 Macaulay Library ML 614189826
Bar-bellied Woodpecker
Veniliornis nigriceps
Spanish Name: Carpintero Paramuno
Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical moist forests, forest edges, woodland, and secondary growth.
Height: 2500-3500 m
Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S49583494 Macaulay Library ML 121430361
Red-stained Woodpecker
Veniliornis affinis
Spanish Name: Carpintero Embridado
Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical dry forests, savannas with scattered trees, and forest edges.
Height: <1000 m
Photo: © Claudia Brasileiro eBird S49221815 Macaulay Library ML 120800961
Choco Woodpecker
Veniliornis chocoensis
Spanish Name: Carpintero del Chocó
Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: Dense, primary forests with a thick canopy and abundant vegetation.
Height: <700 m
Photo: © Alex Luna eBird S52008618 Macaulay Library ML 138819801
