The pale-billed woodpecker is a species of woodpecker of the genus Campephilus. It is found from Mexico to Panama.
Region
Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Mexico south through Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and into western Panama. It inhabits humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, tall secondary growth, forest edges, and riparian corridors. The species uses large-diameter trees and snags for foraging and nesting and will also forage in shade coffee or cacao where canopy trees remain. It is most frequently encountered in relatively undisturbed forest but can persist in mosaic landscapes with sufficient large trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large Campephilus woodpecker, it gives the characteristic double-knock drumming associated with the group. It is often confused with the Lineated Woodpecker, but the uniformly pale ivory bill and bold white V on the back are key identifiers. It favors large, old trees and snags, making it a useful indicator of mature forest quality. Habitat loss and logging of big trees can reduce local populations.
Pale-billed Woodpecker, backside
Temperament
wary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with bounding, undulating flight
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or family groups that maintain year-round territories. Both sexes excavate nest cavities high in large trunks and share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Breeding pairs are monogamous and may reuse territories for multiple seasons.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud, nasal calls and sharp 'kyaa' notes that carry through the forest. Drumming is a powerful double-knock typical of Campephilus woodpeckers, often used for territorial advertisement.
Plumage
Mostly black with bold white scapular stripes forming a V on the back and white patches in the wings visible in flight. Both sexes have a prominent shaggy crest; males show more extensive red on the head while females have darker forecrown contrasts. Underparts are dark and glossy with minimal barring.
Diet
Primarily feeds on wood-boring beetle larvae, adult beetles, ants, and other insects obtained by chiseling into dead or decaying wood and prying bark. It also gleans from trunks and large branches and occasionally takes fruit. Powerful blows and levering with the bill expose larvae deep within wood.
Preferred Environment
Forages on large snags, dead limbs, and mature live trees in forest interiors and edges. Will use agroforestry systems with retained canopy trees, especially shade coffee plantations.
