The chestnut-colored woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Region
Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica to western Panama. Prefers humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, tall second growth, and forest edges; it also uses semi-open woodland with large trees. Typically forages in the midstory to subcanopy on trunks and large limbs, including dead wood. It tolerates some disturbance if large trees remain but is most frequent in relatively intact forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This medium-sized woodpecker is richly chestnut overall with a pointed crest and a pale, sturdy bill; males show a red malar stripe. It is a quiet forager compared with many woodpeckers, often working mid-story trunks and larger branches. It nests in cavities it excavates in soft or decaying trees, with both sexes sharing incubation and chick-rearing. Its presence is a good indicator of mature or well-regenerated humid lowland forest.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs; occasionally joins mixed-species flocks in the midstory. Excavates nest cavities in decaying trunks or large branches. Pairs are thought to be monogamous, and both sexes participate in excavation, incubation, and feeding of young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include soft, rolling notes and mellow whinnies given from within the canopy. Drumming is relatively subdued and short, used for communication and territory advertisement.
