Celeus elegans
The Chestnut Woodpecker (Celeus elegans) is a striking medium-sized woodpecker, typically measuring 26-28 cm (10-11 in) in length. Its plumage is predominantly a rich, glossy chestnut, often with subtle darker barring on the back and wings, and a conspicuous pale yellow or creamy rump that is very noticeable in flight. A distinctive field mark for identification is the pale, almost ivory-colored, stout bill and a shaggy crest that can be raised or flattened. Sexual dimorphism is present: male...
Found in lowland tropical and subtropical forests, especially near water or swampy areas, and also in clearings with scattered trees. It typically inhabits elevations up to 1,000 meters (3,300 ft).
Feeds primarily on ants and termites, including their larvae and eggs, which it extracts from decaying wood and occasionally from ground-level mounds. It also consumes other insects and beetle larvae, with a small proportion of its diet comprising fruit.
This diurnal woodpecker is typically observed singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks. It exhibits a noisy foraging strategy, primarily hammering, drilling, and prying bark from dead or decaying trees and stumps, often creating audible wood chips. Territories are defen...
The Chestnut Woodpecker is widely distributed across tropical South America, primarily inhabiting the Amazon Basin and surrounding lowland regions. Its breeding range extends from eastern Venezuela and the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana) through eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and ea...
Least Concern
- The Chestnut Woodpecker's genus name, `Celeus`, is derived from the Greek word `keleos`, meaning 'green woodpecker', an interesting irony given its rich chestnut plumage. - Its pale, almost ivory-colored bill is a distinctive feature that helps differentiate it from other woodpecker species in ...