The robust woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Region
Atlantic Forest of southeastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Atlantic Forest from southeastern Brazil into eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina (notably Misiones and nearby provinces). Prefers mature, tall, humid to semi-deciduous forests with large-diameter trees and abundant deadwood. Also uses gallery forests and forest fragments where large trees remain, and occasionally visits adjacent plantations if old snags are present. Foraging is typically on trunks and large limbs from lower to mid-canopy levels. Sensitive to extensive deforestation and fragmentation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large Atlantic Forest woodpecker, the robust woodpecker is most often detected by its powerful double-knock drumming, typical of its genus. It specializes in prying and excavating into large, often decaying trunks for wood-boring beetle larvae. Pairs maintain territories year-round and communicate with loud calls that carry far through mature forest. Its presence can indicate relatively intact, old-growth habitat.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with bounding, woodpecker-style flight
Social Behavior
Usually encountered as pairs or family groups, maintaining territories throughout the year. Nests in cavities excavated high in large, often decaying trees. Both sexes participate in excavating and feeding young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud, ringing calls that travel long distances through forest. Drumming is a powerful double-knock characteristic of Campephilus woodpeckers, used for territory advertisement and pair communication.
