Helmeted woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helmeted woodpecker |
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| at Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, São Paulo State, Brazil | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Celeus
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| Species: |
galeatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Hylatomus galeatus |
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The helmeted woodpecker (Celeus galeatus) is a special type of woodpecker. It's known for its bright red crest, which looks a bit like a helmet! This bird lives in parts of South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It is considered a Vulnerable species, meaning its population is decreasing and it needs protection.
Contents
About the Helmeted Woodpecker
What's in a Name?
The helmeted woodpecker was first described in 1822 by a scientist named Coenraad Jacob Temminck. Its scientific name, Celeus galeatus, comes from the Latin word galea, which means "helmet". This name perfectly describes the bird's unique red crest!
For a while, scientists thought this woodpecker belonged to different groups. But in 2015, studies looked at its DNA. These studies showed that it truly belongs in the Celeus group, which is where it is now. This bird is also "monotypic," meaning it's the only species in its specific group.
What Does It Look Like?
The helmeted woodpecker is about 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. That's about the length of a standard ruler! It weighs between 124 to 150 grams (4.4 to 5.3 ounces).
Both male and female helmeted woodpeckers have a cinnamon-colored face and a long, bright red crest. However, there's a small difference between them:
- Males have a red patch on their cheeks. This red patch goes down to the sides of their throat and wraps around the back of their head to meet the crest.
- Females only have the red crest and no other red on their head.
Both sexes have a black throat and the back of their neck. A white stripe runs vertically on the side of their neck. Their upper back is black or brownish-black, turning creamy on their lower back. Their wings are brownish-black, and their tail is black. Their belly is buffy white with black bars. Their bill is ivory-colored, and their legs are dark gray.
Young helmeted woodpeckers look like adults but are a bit browner. They have less red on their head and more stripes.
Interestingly, the helmeted woodpecker looks a lot like two bigger woodpeckers: the lineated woodpecker and the robust woodpecker. Scientists think this might be a clever trick! By looking like bigger birds, the smaller helmeted woodpecker might avoid fights with other birds. Even though they look similar, these birds are not closely related. Their similar looks are just a coincidence.
Where It Lives
Habitat and Range
The helmeted woodpecker lives in the southern parts of Brazil, including the states of São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina. It also lives in the eastern part of Paraguay and in Misiones Province in northeastern Argentina.
This woodpecker mostly lives in large areas of the Atlantic Forest. This forest is a mix of trees that lose their leaves and trees that keep them all year. Sometimes, you might find them in forests that have been disturbed or in tree plantations, but this is rare. They can live from sea level up to about 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) high.
How It Behaves
Movement and Feeding Habits
The helmeted woodpecker stays in the same area all year round; it does not migrate.
When looking for food, this woodpecker usually searches in the middle parts of the forest. It often uses its bill to gently probe soft, decaying trees. It doesn't usually hammer hard on trees like some other woodpeckers. We don't know all the details of its diet, but it has been seen eating insect larvae, ants, and berries.
You'll usually spot them alone or in pairs. Sometimes, they join groups of different bird species that are all feeding together.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The helmeted woodpecker's egg-laying season seems to start in late September. They make their nests by digging holes in dead branches or tree trunks. These nests are usually found between 2.3 to 5 meters (7.5 to 16 feet) above the ground.
Scientists still have a lot to learn about their breeding habits. For example, we don't know how many eggs they lay, how long the eggs take to hatch, or how long it takes for the young birds to leave the nest. We also don't know much about how the parents care for their chicks.
Sounds and Calls
The helmeted woodpecker doesn't make a lot of noise. Its main call is a loud, drawn-out "kwee-kwee-kwee-kwee" with four to ten notes. You can hear this call from over 500 meters (1,600 feet) away! It also makes a sad, descending "tu-du-du-du-du-du-du" sound.
When it drums on trees, the sound is soft, steady, and quite short.
Status and Conservation
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has changed the status of the helmeted woodpecker over the years. In 1988, it was listed as Threatened. In 1994, it became Endangered. Since 2000, it has been listed as Vulnerable.
This means the helmeted woodpecker is at risk. It lives in a small area, and its population is shrinking. There are only about 3,600 adult birds left. A big reason for this is that much of its Atlantic Forest home has been cut down. Forests are cleared for wood, farms, cattle ranches, and pine tree plantations.
The helmeted woodpecker also relies on large dead trees for nesting and finding food. When these trees are removed, it makes it even harder for them to survive. Protecting their forest homes is very important to help this unique bird.
Images for kids
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A helmeted woodpecker at Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, São Paulo State, Brazil
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Range map of the helmeted woodpecker
