The white woodpecker is a South American species of woodpecker native to the wooded grasslands of Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. It is a bright white bird with black wings and a distinctive small bright yellow eye patch. The IUCN has rated it as a "least-concern species".
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Guianas and northern Brazil south through Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. Prefers open and semiopen habitats such as wooded grasslands, savannas, gallery forests, and forest edges. It readily uses palm groves, pastures with scattered trees, orchards, and urban parks. Often seen perching conspicuously atop snags and isolated trees. Range continuity follows riverine woodlands and mosaics of savanna and light forest.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The white woodpecker is a striking, mostly white woodpecker with contrasting black wings and tail and a distinctive yellow orbital patch. It often forages in small groups in open woodlands and savannas, frequently visiting fruiting trees. Besides fruit, it takes insects and is known to raid wasp nests for larvae. Its adaptability to edge habitats and human-altered landscapes helps keep its population secure.
White woodpecker at Weltvogelpark Walsrode, Germany
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often forages in pairs or small groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks in open woodlands. Nests in cavities excavated in dead trees or palms; both members of the pair participate in excavation and care. Frequently perches conspicuously and makes short sallies between trees while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, ringing calls and rasping chatter delivered from exposed perches. Also produces rapid rattles and occasional drumming on resonant wood during territorial or courtship displays.
Plumage
Predominantly white head, neck, and underparts with glossy black wings and tail; back largely white with strong contrast to the wings. Plumage appears clean and smooth, giving a bold black-and-white pattern in flight.
Diet
Takes a mixed diet of insects (including beetles, ants, and wasp larvae) and a variety of fruits and berries. Will raid wasp nests to extract larvae and pupae. Occasionally gleans from bark and branches, and also hawks insects in short flights. Fruit from native and cultivated trees is an important seasonal resource.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, gallery forests, savannas with scattered trees, and in human-modified areas like orchards and parks. Often concentrates at fruiting trees and around snags or palms that harbor insect prey.
