The checkered woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
South-Central South America
Typical Environment
Occurs across the Gran Chaco and neighboring regions of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (southern and southwestern), Paraguay, and Uruguay. Prefers dry to semi-arid woodlands, thorn scrub, and open forests with scattered trees. Also uses gallery forests along watercourses and wooded edges in agricultural landscapes. It avoids dense rainforest and generally favors habitats with ample dead wood for foraging and nesting. Occasionally ventures into parks or rural groves if mature trees are present.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small black-and-white woodpecker of the Chaco and adjacent dry forests, the checkered woodpecker shows a distinctive checkered mantle that gives it its name. Males typically have a red crown or nape patch, while females lack extensive red. It forages methodically on thin branches and trunks, tapping and probing for insects hidden beneath bark. Its drumming is relatively soft compared to larger woodpeckers.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Excavates nest cavities in dead or decaying wood; both sexes participate in excavation and chick rearing. Pairs are thought to be monogamous and may maintain territories year-round.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives short, sharp pik and chik notes, often in series when agitated. Drumming is a brief, even roll on resonant branches or snags. Vocalizations are high-pitched and carry through open woodland.
