Crimson-bellied woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crimson-bellied woodpecker |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Campephilus
|
| Species: |
haematogaster
|
 |
|
| Range of crimson-bellied woodpecker before the splendid woodpecker was split from it; see the Taxonomy and Distribution sections for details. | |
The crimson-bellied woodpecker (Campephilus haematogaster) is a type of bird from the woodpecker family. You can find it in countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This amazing bird is known for its bright red belly and its strong pecking ability.
Contents
About the Crimson-Bellied Woodpecker
How Scientists Classify This Bird
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to group living things. For a long time, the crimson-bellied woodpecker was thought to have two different types, or subspecies. One was called C. h. haematogaster and the other was C. h. splendens.
However, around the year 2000, some experts thought that splendens might be a separate species entirely. By 2018, some major bird organizations, like BirdLife International, agreed and decided to treat splendens as its own species. In 2023, the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) also made this change.
This means that the crimson-bellied woodpecker, as recognized by these groups, is now considered a single species without any subspecies. Other groups, like the South American Classification Committee, are still thinking about this change.
What Does It Look Like?
The crimson-bellied woodpecker is about 33 to 34 centimeters (13 to 13.4 inches) long. It weighs between 225 and 250 grams (7.9 to 8.8 ounces).
Both male and female woodpeckers have a bright red head and neck. They have a thin black line above their eye and a thin buff-colored stripe behind it. A wider black band goes from their nose, through the eye, and connects to the red on their neck. Their chin and throat are black.
- Males: Have a buff-colored band between the black eye band and their chin.
- Females: The back part of this band extends down the side of their neck to their upper chest.
Both sexes have black or brownish-black feathers on their shoulders and upper back. Their lower back and rump are a deep red. Their tail feathers are black. Their wings are black on top with two white spots on most of the flight feathers. The underside of their wings is blackish with pale stripes.
The most striking feature is their entire underside, from the bottom of their throat, which is bright red! Young woodpeckers look similar to adults but are duller and browner. They have a sooty-colored forehead and less red on their underside.
Where Does It Live?
The crimson-bellied woodpecker lives on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains. You can find it from Colombia in the north, south through Ecuador and Peru, and a little bit into Bolivia.
It mostly lives deep inside humid and wet forests. It also likes montane forest (forests in mountains) and várzea (forests that flood seasonally). Sometimes, you can spot it along the edges of these forests.
This bird lives at different heights depending on the country:
- In Colombia: Between 500 and 1500 meters (1,600 to 4,900 feet) above sea level.
- In Ecuador: Between 1000 and 1700 meters (3,300 to 5,600 feet) above sea level.
- In Peru: Between 900 and 2200 meters (3,000 to 7,200 feet) above sea level.
Woodpecker Habits
Staying in One Place
The crimson-bellied woodpecker does not migrate. It stays in the same area all year round.
What Does It Eat?
This woodpecker mainly eats large beetles, both adult beetles and their larvae (young forms). It also eats other types of insects.
It usually looks for food near the ground on the trunks of big trees. It uses its strong beak to hammer and probe into the wood to find its prey. It often forages alone or sometimes in pairs.
How Does It Raise Its Young?
Scientists believe the breeding season for the crimson-bellied woodpecker is from September to April in Colombia and Ecuador. Not much else is known about how these birds raise their young.
Sounds and Calls
The crimson-bellied woodpecker has a unique song. It sounds like a harsh, squeaky, but loud "eer" note repeated many times. Its call is a loud "stk! st-kr-r-r-r-r-r-r".
Like other woodpeckers, it also drums on trees. Its drumming is a fast roll of 3 to 4 loud raps.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has evaluated the crimson-bellied woodpecker. They have listed it as a species of "Least Concern." This means it is not currently considered to be in danger of extinction.
Even though it has a large area where it lives, the exact number of these birds is not known. Scientists believe its population might be slowly decreasing. However, no immediate major threats have been found for this species.
