The cinnamon woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Region
Central America and northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from Nicaragua and Costa Rica through Panama and into northwestern Colombia and western Ecuador. Prefers humid evergreen forest, tall secondary growth, forest edges, and riparian corridors. Often uses semi-open habitats with tall trees such as shaded plantations (e.g., cacao) adjacent to forest. Typically forages from mid-story to canopy, frequently on dead wood and vine tangles. Roosts and nests in cavities excavated in soft or decayed trunks.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A medium-sized woodpecker of humid lowland and foothill forests, the cinnamon woodpecker is noted for its warm rufous tones and subtle scaly patterning that inspired its species name, loricatus (“armored”). Males show a red malar stripe, absent or reduced in females. It often joins mixed-species flocks and forages quietly compared to many other woodpeckers, with relatively soft drumming. Despite localized habitat loss, it remains fairly common in suitable forests.
Aligandi area, Darien, Panama
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with undulating glide typical of woodpeckers
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small family groups. Often accompanies mixed-species flocks in the mid-story. Nests in cavities excavated by both sexes in dead or decaying trees; clutch usually small and both parents share incubation and feeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, nasal peek or kiik notes and short rattling series. Drumming is soft and brief, used for communication and territorial display rather than prolonged advertising.
Plumage
Overall warm cinnamon to rufous with fine dusky scaling on the mantle and underparts; short rufous crest; wings rich rufous with darker primaries; tail darker rufous to brownish-black.
Diet
Feeds primarily on arboreal ants and termites, as well as beetle larvae and other wood-boring insects. Probes, chips, and pries bark and dead wood rather than heavy chiseling. Occasionally takes small fruits or seeds when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks, large branches, and vine tangles from mid-story to canopy, often in humid forest edges and semi-open forest with scattered tall trees. Frequently inspects dead snags and arboreal termite nests.
