Deep in the humid, wet montane forests of South America, from Colombia down to Peru and Bolivia, lives the crimson-bellied woodpecker. This eye-catching bird is medium- to large-sized in size, about 13 inches long and weighing up to half a pound. It is well known for its bright red belly and striking markings. The crimson-bellied woodpecker usually lives at elevations between 488 and 1,707 meters (1,600 and 5,600 feet), preferring the dense, untouched parts of the forest instead of open or cleared spaces.

The crimson-bellied woodpecker stands out because of its unique colors and physical features. Both males and females have a bright red crown and neck, a black mask, and a smooth white throat. The most noticeable feature is the bird’s completely crimson-red belly, which contrasts with its dark, almost black back and wings. You can tell males and females apart by looking at the side of the head: males have a small, buff-colored cheek patch, while females have a pale patch that goes farther down the neck to the upper breast. Also, this species has only two white spots on its wing feathers, which helps tell it apart from the splendid woodpecker, a close relative that has three spots.

Besides its bold looks, the crimson-bellied woodpecker has interesting behaviors that attract nature lovers. It is an active forager and spends much of its time near the ground on large tree trunks. With its strong, chisel-shaped bill, it digs into tree bark to find large beetles and their larvae, helping control the forest’s insect population. For communication, these birds make a loud “stk!” call, followed by a quick, nasal squeak that repeats like “eer.” Instead of long drumming sessions, they use short, fast bursts of three or four raps to mark their territory and talk to their partners.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Colombia

2020

Ecuador

2020

Peru

2020