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Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Least Concern
Found across the Americas, this striking forest dweller, with its vibrant red crest and bold markings, brings the cartoon "Woody Woodpecker" to life in the real world.
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Visual Identification

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

Male

Primary Colour

Black White Red

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Lineated Woodpecker can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Lineated Woodpecker can be found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Lineated Woodpecker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Lineated Woodpecker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador French Guiana Guatemala Guyana Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Suriname Trinidad and Tobago Venezuela

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Lineated Woodpecker demonstrates remarkable agility, adeptly manoeuvring on vertical tree trunks and branches. Its ability to rotate its zygodactyl feet for better grip and its undulating flight pattern between trees indicate high levels of agility in both arboreal and aerial environments.

Strength 80

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

With its powerful bill capable of excavating deep into tree trunks and its ability to drum loudly on trees, the Lineated Woodpecker exhibits considerable strength. Its size (32-38 cm in length) and weight (180-280 g) also contribute to its robust physical capabilities.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

This species shows good adaptability, inhabiting various forest types from sea level to 2,100 metres elevation. Its diet flexibility, including insects, fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates, further demonstrates its adaptable nature. However, its preference for mature forests suggests some limitations.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overtly aggressive towards other species, Lineated Woodpeckers maintain year-round territories and engage in loud drumming for territorial signalling. Their powerful excavation for food and nesting also indicates a degree of assertiveness in their behaviour.

Endurance 78

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Lineated Woodpecker's endurance is evident in its ability to maintain year-round territories, engage in extensive foraging activities, and perform energy-intensive drumming and excavation. Their non-migratory nature and capacity for sustained physical activity in challenging arboreal environments suggest good endurance.

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.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

5,000,000 - 50,000,000 individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

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:

Picidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Predators

Main predators include large raptors such as hawks and eagles, as well as arboreal snakes and mammals like monkeys and coatis.

Did You Know?

  1. Lineated Woodpeckers can rotate their zygodactyl feet, with two toes facing forward and two backward, for better grip on tree trunks.
  2. Their strong, elastic tongues can extend up to 4 inches beyond the tip of the bill to extract insects from deep within trees.
  3. These woodpeckers play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by creating nesting cavities that other species later use.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Hylatomus lineatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22726489A94923540.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2002: del Hoyo et al.

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