Chestnut-colored Woodpecker

The chestnut-colored woodpecker, Celeus castaneus, is a striking bird with a length ranging from 21.5 to 25 cm and a weight between 80 to 105 grams. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, males boast a vibrant red hue extending from the lores to behind the eye and down to the throat, with possible red touches on the chin and upper throat. Females, however, lack the red coloring. Both sexes share rufous-chestnut upperparts, a cinnamon-buff rump, and black bars on the back and uppertail coverts. Their flight feathers mirror the rufous-chestnut with dusky brown tips, while their tail feathers are a dull black with chestnut bases. The underparts are a rich chestnut adorned with black "V" or "U" shaped markings. The bill is an ivory-yellow with a blue-green base, the iris is chestnut or garnet brown, and the legs are dark olive to grayish. Juveniles resemble adults but are generally duller with dusky mottling on the malar area and more irregular black marks on their underparts.

Identification Tips

To identify the chestnut-colored woodpecker, look for the pointed crest and the distinctive coloration patterns. Males have the unmistakable red head and throat, while both sexes have the characteristic chestnut and black barred plumage. The ivory-yellow bill with a blue-green base is also a key feature to note.

Habitat

This woodpecker species is found in the interior and edges of humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, as well as in mangroves and coastal scrub in certain areas. It has a preference for dense foliage, even at the forest edge.

Distribution

The chestnut-colored woodpecker graces the Caribbean side of Middle America, with its range extending from southern Veracruz in Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, reaching into Panama's Bocas del Toro Province. It is typically found from sea level up to 1,000 meters in Mexico and 750 meters in Costa Rica.

Behaviour

As a year-round resident, this woodpecker is mostly solitary or seen in pairs. It forages in the canopy and subcanopy, venturing lower at forest edges. It is known for pecking into tunnels and prying off bark in search of its prey.

Song & calls

The chestnut-colored woodpecker's vocal repertoire includes a descending "skeew" followed by a nasal "keh, keh, keh," a sharp two-part "wi-kah," and a nasal "peahh" reminiscent of a squeeze toy. Its drumming consists of a short series of rapid hollow taps.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary by location, with evidence suggesting March to June in Oaxaca, April to July in Belize, February to August in Guatemala, May and June in Nicaragua, February to May or possibly July in Costa Rica, and May to July in Panama. Both sexes partake in nest excavation, typically in trees. Clutch size and details of incubation and fledging are not well documented.

Similar Species

There are no similar species mentioned for comparison.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the chestnut-colored woodpecker is primarily ants and termites, supplemented by other insects and fruit. It forages alone or in pairs, employing tactics such as pecking and prying to locate its prey.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the chestnut-colored woodpecker as Least Concern due to its large range and estimated population of over 50,000 mature individuals. Although the population is believed to be decreasing, there are no immediate threats identified. However, like other forest species, it is vulnerable to habitat loss or degradation.