Smoky-brown Woodpecker

The smoky-brown woodpecker, a member of the Picidae family, is a modestly sized bird measuring approximately 18 cm in length and weighing between 31 to 50 grams. Both sexes exhibit similar plumage, with the exception of their head markings. The male is distinguished by a red crown extending from the forehead to the nape, while the female's head is dark brown with an olive hue and may feature white speckles.

Identification Tips

Adults of the nominate subspecies, have an olive-brown face with whitish lores and a thin white supercilium. A black "moustache" with a white line above it is also present. Their upperparts are brown to olive-brown with a red tinge on the shoulders. The underparts are similarly coloured but may be paler on the belly with faint darker bars. The beak is blackish with a paler lower mandible, and the legs are greyish.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of wooded environments, including humid and wet forests, cloud forests, dry montane and alder woodlands, gallery forests, and secondary forests. It is also found in coffee plantations and dense understory at forest edges.

Distribution

The smoky-brown woodpecker is distributed across a range of countries in Latin America, from Mexico down to Argentina. It is a year-round resident throughout its range.

Behaviour

The smoky-brown woodpecker is often observed foraging alone, in pairs, or in family groups. It may also join mixed-species feeding flocks. It typically hunts in the middle and lower levels of the forest, but it can also be found feeding in the canopy and at isolated trees.

Song & Calls

This woodpecker has a repertoire of vocalizations including 'wick', 'chuk', 'pwik', and a high-pitched 'keer-keer-keer'. Its drumming is characterized by very rapid and extended tattoos.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary geographically, with February to June in Central America, February and March in Venezuela, and October to April in Colombia. Both sexes participate in excavating the nest cavity, which is usually located in a dead branch or trunk. The clutch typically consists of four eggs, but details on incubation and fledging are not well documented.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the smoky-brown woodpecker primarily consists of adult and larval wood-boring beetles, supplemented by small amounts of fruit. It employs pecking and hammering to find prey but occasionally probes or gleans.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the smoky-brown woodpecker as Least Concern. It has a large range and an estimated population of at least 50,000 mature individuals. Though the population is believed to be decreasing, no immediate threats have been identified, and the species is considered reasonably secure.