Hoffmann's woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found from Honduras south to Costa Rica.
Region
Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southwestern Honduras through Nicaragua into much of Costa Rica, primarily on the Pacific slope and in adjacent interior valleys. Favors dry to moderately moist lowlands and foothills with scattered trees, second-growth woodland, shade coffee, and urban/suburban parks and gardens. Frequently uses coconut and other palms for foraging and nesting and adapts well to fragmented habitats. Less common in dense, closed-canopy forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Hoffmann's woodpecker thrives in open and semi-open habitats, including towns, parks, and plantations, and often benefits from human-altered landscapes. It excavates nest cavities in dead trees, palms, and even fence posts, which are later used by other cavity-nesting species. Males typically show a small red crown patch, while both sexes display a golden-yellow crown or nape.
Female, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups and often associates loosely with mixed-species flocks in open habitats. Both sexes excavate nest cavities and share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Nests are typically in dead snags, palm stems, or wooden posts.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes sharp pik notes and a dry, rolling rattle that carries well across open country. Drumming is short and functional, used for communication and territorial display rather than long, sustained rolls.
Plumage
Back and wings boldly barred black and white; underparts buff to pale tan with a slight wash on the belly. Head shows pale face with golden-yellow crown or nape; males have a small red cap patch. Rump whitish; tail dark with white barring.
Diet
Takes a wide variety of insects and their larvae from bark, dead wood, and foliage, including beetles and ants. Also consumes fruits, berries, and palm nuts, and will sip nectar or visit fruiting trees. In towns and gardens it readily exploits human-provided foods such as fruit scraps.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks, branches, dead stubs, palms, and fence posts, as well as in fruiting trees in open areas. Common in parks, gardens, agricultural mosaics, and edges where scattered trees provide perches and foraging sites.
