Piculus simplex
The Rufous-winged Woodpecker, *Piculus simplex*, is a small to medium-sized neotropical woodpecker, measuring approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing around 55-65 grams. Its most distinctive field mark, and the source of its name, is the striking rufous-chestnut primary and secondary flight feathers, which are most visible in flight or when the wing is spread. The body plumage is predominantly olive-green, with a paler, sometimes streaky, olive-yellow belly. Males sport a v...
Primarily inhabits humid evergreen lowland and foothill forests, including mature secondary growth, from near sea level up to around 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding extensively on ants, termites, and beetle larvae gleaned from tree bark and decaying wood.
This diurnal woodpecker is often observed foraging alone or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks, particularly with tanagers and other insectivores. Its foraging strategy involves actively climbing tree trunks and branches, scaling off bark, and probing crevices for hidden insects....
The Rufous-winged Woodpecker is a resident species distributed across Central and northwestern South America. Its primary range extends from eastern Honduras, through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Southward, its distribution continues into the Chocó biogeographic region of western Colombia a...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-winged Woodpecker's namesake rufous wings are often hidden at rest, only truly revealing themselves during flight, making identification a delightful challenge. - Despite its vivid green and red plumage, its retiring nature and preference for dense forest can make it surprisingly dif...