Dryocopus lineatus
The Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) is a striking, large Neotropical woodpecker, often considered the New World counterpart to the Pileated Woodpecker due to its size and bold appearance. Measuring approximately 31-36 cm (12-14 in) in length with a wingspan of 59-70 cm (23-28 in), it is primarily black with a prominent red crest in both sexes. Distinctive field marks include bold white lines that run from the bill, along the side of the throat, and down the neck, contrasting sharply ...
This adaptable woodpecker thrives in a variety of forested habitats, from humid tropical and subtropical primary forests to secondary growth, clearings with tall trees, and even urban parks, generally from sea level up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) elevation.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, particularly ants, termites, and the larvae of wood-boring beetles, which they extract from trees by extensive excavation. They occasionally supplement this with fruits, berries, and nuts.
Lineated Woodpeckers are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and roosting at night in excavated tree cavities. Their foraging strategy primarily involves excavating large, rectangular holes in dead or decaying trees to extract wood-boring insects, but they also probe and glean from bar...
The Lineated Woodpecker boasts an expansive resident range throughout much of the Neotropics, extending from southeastern Mexico, across Central America, and throughout a significant portion of South America. Its distribution reaches as far south as northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and sout...
Least Concern
- The Lineated Woodpecker is often considered the Neotropical ecological equivalent of North America's Pileated Woodpecker due to its large size and similar foraging habits. - Its powerful drumming can resonate through the forest, serving as a loud territorial advertisement and communication sign...