The beautiful woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is endemic to Colombia.
Region
Chocó biogeographic region (western Colombia, Pacific lowlands)
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland and foothill rainforest, forest edges, and second growth with tall remnant trees. It favors mature forest with abundant dead wood for nesting and foraging, but can persist in partially disturbed habitats. Frequently uses midstory to canopy layers and forages along larger trunks and stout branches. Often found near rivers and in structurally complex forest mosaics.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Beautiful Woodpecker is a striking Melanerpes woodpecker confined to Colombia’s humid Pacific lowlands. It forages actively on trunks and larger branches, often in pairs or small family groups. Like many woodpeckers it excavates nest cavities in dead snags and communicates with sharp calls and rapid drumming. Ongoing lowland deforestation in the Chocó bioregion is its primary threat.
Adult male beautiful woodpecker
Temperament
active and wary
Flight Pattern
short, direct flights with undulating woodpecker cadence
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and may join mixed-species flocks around fruiting trees. Both sexes contribute to excavating nest cavities and rearing young. Nests are typically placed in dead snags or dead limbs of live trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp peek and chack notes and a rapid rattling series delivered from exposed perches. Drumming is a fast, even roll used for territorial advertisement.
Plumage
Boldly patterned woodpecker with black-and-white barring on the back and contrasting pale to yellowish underparts; face shows clean pale areas offset by darker mask. Males typically show a red crown or nape patch, while females have more subdued head patterning. Overall crisp contrast and clean barring are notable.
Diet
Takes a mix of arthropods such as ants, beetles, and their larvae gleaned from bark and wood, along with fruits and berries when available. Probes and pecks at dead wood for insect prey and will sally short distances for exposed invertebrates. Frequently visits fruiting trees and may exploit edge habitats where fruit is abundant.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and larger branches in the midstory to canopy of humid forest and along edges. Also uses secondary growth and semi-open areas with scattered tall trees.
