Veniliornis cassini
The Golden-collared Woodpecker (*Veniliornis cassini*) is a striking member of the Picidae family, primarily inhabiting the humid lowland forests of Central and South America. Measuring approximately 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 inches) in length and weighing 30-40 grams, this species is characterized by its olive-green upperparts and distinctly pale, often barred underparts. Its most prominent field mark, which gives it its common name, is a brilliant golden-yellow nape or hindneck, contrasting sharply...
This woodpecker primarily inhabits humid evergreen forests, including gallery forests, forest edges, and disturbed secondary growth, generally at elevations below 1000 meters.
Its diet consists mainly of insects, particularly beetle larvae, ants, and termites, supplemented occasionally with fruit and berries. Foraging occurs by probing, gleaning, and light pecking on small branches and vines.
Golden-collared Woodpeckers are typically observed singly or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks, particularly in the mid-story to canopy. They are active during daylight hours, exhibiting an agile climbing style that often includes hanging upside down on small branches a...
The Golden-collared Woodpecker boasts a broad distribution across humid lowland forests of Central and South America. Its breeding range extends from extreme southeastern Nicaragua, southward through Costa Rica, Panama, and along the Caribbean slopes of Colombia. The species continues its presenc...
Least Concern
- The Golden-collared Woodpecker's scientific name, *cassini*, honors French ornithologist Jean-Baptiste Cassini. - Despite their vibrant "golden collar," they are often challenging to spot in the dense forest canopy due to their overall olive-green plumage. - Unlike many larger woodpeckers that ...