Strickland's woodpecker is a medium-sized species of woodpecker endemic to Mexico. The Arizona woodpecker was formerly considered the northern subspecies of this bird until the 42nd supplement of the American Ornithologists Union checklist, which officially split them into two separate species.
Region
Mexican Highlands
Typical Environment
Endemic to montane regions of central and western Mexico, primarily in pine–oak and mixed conifer–oak forests. It frequents mature stands with a good supply of snags and broken limbs for foraging and nesting. The species occurs along forest edges, ridgelines, and wooded ravines, and may use selectively logged areas if dead wood remains. It is generally local but can be fairly common where habitat is intact.
Altitude Range
1200–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Strickland's woodpecker is a Mexican highland specialist of pine–oak forests and was long treated as conspecific with the Arizona woodpecker before being split. It excavates nest cavities in dead snags, benefiting many secondary cavity nesters. Drumming carries well through montane forests, and the species is a useful indicator of mature pine–oak habitat quality.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. Monogamous pairs excavate a new cavity each season, typically in dead limbs or snags. Both sexes participate in incubation and care for the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp pik and tchik notes given singly or in short series. Drumming is a short, rapid roll on resonant dead wood used for territorial advertisement.
Plumage
Brown-and-white woodpecker with finely spotted and barred upperparts and heavily spotted underparts; clean white throat and face contrasts with brown crown and nape.
Diet
Primarily consumes wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, and other insects gleaned or excavated from bark and decaying wood. It probes crevices and peels bark flakes to extract prey. Occasional plant material such as berries or acorns may be taken seasonally.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and larger limbs of pines and oaks, especially where dead wood and loose bark are abundant. Often uses edges, snags, and partially open forest with scattered mature trees.
