Celeus spectabilis
The Rufous-headed Woodpecker (Celeus spectabilis) is a striking member of the Picidae family, instantly recognizable by its vibrant rufous head, prominent crest, and distinctive pale yellowish to rufous-brown body plumage. Measuring approximately 26-28 cm (10-11 inches) in length and weighing between 106-133 grams, its body often appears intricately scaled or barred with darker markings, contrasting sharply with its unbarred head. A robust, pale yellow bill and bright red iris further enhance...
Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland primary and secondary forests, swamp forests, and gallery forests, often found near rivers and watercourses, typically below 600 meters in elevation.
Feeds primarily on ants and termites, including their larvae, which it extracts by excavating decaying wood and arboreal insect nests.
The Rufous-headed Woodpecker is a diurnal species, typically observed singly or in pairs as it methodically forages through the forest understory and mid-canopy. It specializes in excavating decaying wood, especially rotten snags, logs, and active arboreal termite nests, using its stout bill to p...
The Rufous-headed Woodpecker is a resident species distributed throughout the western and central Amazon Basin in South America. Its range extends from southern Colombia and eastern Ecuador, across eastern Peru and northern Bolivia, and into western Brazil (states of Amazonas, Acre, and Rondônia)...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-headed Woodpecker gets its scientific name *spectabilis* from the Latin word meaning "spectacular" or "notable," a fitting description for its striking appearance. - Unlike many woodpeckers that drum on hard wood, this species often excavates soft, decaying wood and termite nests, a ...