Lineated Woodpecker
Least ConcernDryocopus lineatus
Visual Identification
Lineated Woodpecker
Appearance
The Lineated Woodpecker is a striking, large woodpecker with bold black and white plumage. Its most distinctive features include a bright red crest, white stripes on the face and neck, and a long, chisel-like bill.
Males have a red malar stripe (mustache) and a fully red crest, while females lack the malar stripe and have a black forehead. Both sexes display black wings with white barring and a white line down the back.
Size
Length
32cm to 38cm
Wingspan
49cm to 58cm
Weight
180g to 280g
Colours
Primary Colour
Black White Red
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Lineated Woodpeckers inhabit a wide range of forested habitats from Mexico through Central America and into South America, including parts of Argentina and Brazil. They prefer mature forests but can also be found in secondary growth and partially cleared areas.
These woodpeckers are non-migratory and maintain year-round territories. They are particularly common in tropical and subtropical regions, adapting to various forest types, including rainforests, deciduous woodlands, and gallery forests along rivers.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,100 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Lineated Woodpeckers primarily feed on wood-boring insects, especially beetle larvae and ants. They use their strong bills to excavate deep into tree trunks and branches to extract prey.
Their diet also includes fruits, nuts, and occasionally small vertebrates, demonstrating their adaptability as foragers.
Behaviour
Lineated Woodpeckers are often seen foraging on tree trunks and large branches, using their powerful bills to excavate insects. They are typically found in pairs, maintaining year-round territories.
These woodpeckers are known for their loud drumming on trees, which serves as both a territorial signal and a means of communication.
Vocalisation
The Lineated Woodpecker has a loud, far-carrying call often described as a series of ringing 'wik-wik-wik' or 'kweek-kweek-kweek' notes.
Their drumming is powerful and resonant, consisting of rapid bursts that can last several seconds. During territorial displays, they may produce a softer, wicka-wicka-wicka sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding pairs of Lineated Woodpeckers typically form long-term bonds. The breeding season varies across their range but often coincides with the dry season in tropical areas. Both males and females participate in nest excavation, creating large cavities in dead trees or snags.
Females usually lay 2-3 white eggs in the nest cavity. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 14-16 days. The altricial chicks are born naked and blind, requiring extensive parental care.
Both parents feed and care for the nestlings, which fledge after approximately 28-30 days. The young may remain with their parents for several weeks after fledging, learning essential foraging skills.
Lifespan
years
The Lineated Woodpecker typically lives for 10 to 15 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Lineated Woodpecker is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, like many forest-dwelling species, it faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation in parts of its range.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving large tracts of mature forest, which are crucial for this species' survival.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their loud, resonant drumming on trees
- Look for their distinctive black and white plumage with red crest in forested areas
- Observe dead trees or snags, where they often forage
- Watch for their undulating flight pattern between trees
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Helmeted Woodpecker
Family:
PicidaePredators
Main predators include large raptors such as hawks and eagles, as well as arboreal snakes and mammals like monkeys and coatis.
Did You Know?
- Lineated Woodpeckers can rotate their zygodactyl feet, with two toes facing forward and two backward, for better grip on tree trunks.
- Their strong, elastic tongues can extend up to 4 inches beyond the tip of the bill to extract insects from deep within trees.
- These woodpeckers play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by creating nesting cavities that other species later use.
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References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Hylatomus lineatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22726489A94923540.
View source - 2 3
report, 2002: del Hoyo et al.