The splendid woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It was formerly considered conspecific with the crimson-bellied woodpecker and some taxonomists retain that treatment. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.
Region
Chocó biogeographic region
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Panama (Darién) through western Colombia into northwestern Ecuador. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill rainforests, favoring primary forest but also using mature secondary growth and riverine corridors. Often keeps to large tracts with abundant snags and big canopy trees. Forages from mid-levels to the canopy on large trunks and major limbs. Will visit forest edges and selectively logged areas if large deadwood remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large Campephilus woodpecker of the Chocó region, it was long treated as conspecific with the crimson-bellied woodpecker but is now widely recognized as distinct. Its loud double-knock drumming carries far through humid forest. By excavating large cavities in dead trees, it creates nesting sites later used by other birds and small mammals.
Temperament
wary, typically in pairs
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with strong, direct bursts
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups that maintain territories year-round. Both sexes excavate large nest cavities high in dead trunks and share incubation and chick rearing. Drumming includes powerful double-knocks typical of Campephilus woodpeckers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, nasal yelps and rattling calls given singly or in short series. Drumming is a resonant double-knock that carries over long distances and is used in territorial advertisement and pair communication.
Plumage
Large, contrasting woodpecker with a bright red crest and mostly black upperparts set off by bold white scapular patches forming a V on the back. Underparts are buff to whitish with heavy black barring and a crimson belly/vent. Male shows a red malar stripe; female has a blackish malar. Bill is long, pale horn to ivory, and strongly chisel-shaped.
Diet
Primarily consumes wood-boring beetle larvae, large ants, and termites extracted from dead or decaying wood. Also takes adult beetles and other arthropods gleaned from bark crevices and large branches. Will occasionally eat fruits when available, especially during insect lean periods.
Preferred Environment
Forages on large trunks, snags, and thick canopy limbs in mature rainforest and older secondary growth. Frequently works deadwood and partially decayed trees, sometimes descending to fallen logs and stumps along forest edges and streams.
