Lineated Woodpecker

The Lineated Woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus, is a strikingly large woodpecker, a familiar sight from southern Mexico down to northern Argentina and Trinidad. With a length ranging from 31.5 to 36 cm, it bears a close resemblance to its North American relative, the Pileated Woodpecker.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species are predominantly black with a vibrant red crest. They feature distinctive whitish lines that extend from the base of the bill, down the neck, and onto the shoulders, although some individuals from the southeastern part of their range may lack the shoulder line. The underparts are white with heavy black barring. In flight, white wing patches become visible. Males are distinguished by a red line from the bill to the throat and a red forehead, while females have these areas in black. The bill is usually black, but pale-billed variants are not uncommon.

Habitat

The Lineated Woodpecker favors the edges of forests and other types of open woodlands. It is not typically found in mountainous regions, though there are occasional records at higher elevations.

Distribution

This woodpecker's range is extensive, covering a vast area from southern Mexico, through Central America, and into South America as far south as northern Argentina, including the island of Trinidad.

Behaviour

The Lineated Woodpecker is known for its wariness, often eluding easy observation. It chisels out large holes in trees while foraging for insects. The species is also known to partake in a diet of seeds, fruits, berries, and nuts.

Song & Calls

Its vocalizations are characterized by a loud, ringing "wic-wic-wic," and both sexes engage in drumming, a common woodpecker behavior used for communication.

Breeding

Breeding behaviors include the excavation of nest cavities in dead trees, with both sexes sharing incubation duties. The young are nourished through regurgitation. Breeding seasons vary by region, with March to April in Panama, April to May in Belize, and February to April in Trinidad and Suriname.

Similar Species

The Lineated Woodpecker can be confused with the Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Campephilus melanoleucos, which shares similar size and plumage patterns. However, the female Crimson-crested has a much broader light face line, and the white shoulder lines meet on the lower back, forming a "V". The male of the species is quite distinct with an almost entirely red head.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet primarily consists of insects such as ants and their larvae, beetles, termites, orthopterans, and caterpillars. It also consumes seeds from plants like Heliconia and Clusia rosea, as well as fruits, berries, and nuts.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the Lineated Woodpecker as Least Concern, indicating a stable or increasing population without any immediate threats to its survival. The "dusky-winged woodpecker," a subspecies, is also assessed separately but shares the same conservation status.