Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker

The stripe-cheeked woodpecker, Piculus callopterus, presents a striking figure in the forests of Panama, its endemic home. This bird measures approximately 17 cm in length, with both sexes exhibiting similar plumage, save for distinctive differences on their heads. The male boasts a vibrant red from the forehead to the hindneck, extending broadly across the cheek, accented by a buffy white stripe. The female, however, displays red only from the back of the crown to the hindneck. Both sexes share bronze-green upperparts, cinnamon-rufous flight feathers with dark brown bars, and a blackish tail with hints of cinnamon-rufous. Their underparts are a tapestry of buffy white with greenish olive barring, and their throat and upper breast are tinged with greenish olive and yellowish spots. The woodpecker's beak is a dusky black with a paler mandible, its iris a sky-blue to pale gray, and its legs an olive-gray. Juveniles are a more muted version of the adults, with mottled throats and uneven barring on the underparts.

Identification Tips

When identifying the stripe-cheeked woodpecker, look for the male's extensive red malar stripe and the female's more limited red crown. The buffy white stripe above the cheek is a key feature, as are the bronze-green upperparts and the barred underparts. The bird's shortish blackish beak and pale iris are also distinctive.

Habitat

This woodpecker favors the interior and edges of humid forests, thriving at elevations ranging from 300 to 900 meters.

Distribution

The stripe-cheeked woodpecker is a resident of Panama, from the Veraguas Province in the west-central region to the Darién Province, predominantly on the Caribbean side.

Behaviour

The stripe-cheeked woodpecker is known to be a year-round resident within its range. It typically forages alone or in pairs and occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks. It prefers the lower to mid-levels of the forest for foraging, primarily pecking into the substrate.

Song & calls

The primary call of the stripe-cheeked woodpecker is a nasal bi-syllabic "nyeeeh-wheet," which can be uttered singly or in rapid succession. Both sexes make this sound, along with other vocalizations such as scolding and a fast chattering series of short nasal notes when excited.

Breeding

While the full scope of the breeding season remains undefined, it is known to encompass April and May. Nest cavities have been found in dead trees, with the specifics of clutch size, incubation, fledging, and parental care yet to be detailed.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the stripe-cheeked woodpecker is not fully known but includes ants. It forages by pecking into the substrate, mostly at lower to mid-levels of the forest.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the stripe-cheeked woodpecker as Least Concern. Despite its restricted range and a population believed to be in decline, it has not yet reached the thresholds for a Near Threatened rating. No immediate threats to the species have been identified, and it is considered uncommon and local.