Pale-crested Woodpecker
Celeus lugubris
The Pale-crested Woodpecker (Celeus lugubris) is a rare woodpecker found in 4 countries, weighing about 137 g. The pale-crested woodpecker a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae.










About the Pale-crested Woodpecker
The pale-crested woodpecker a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The pale-crested woodpecker is about 23 to 24 cm (9.1 to 9.4 in) long. The nominate subspecies C. l. lugubris weighs 115 to 130 g (4.1 to 4.6 oz) and C. l. kerri weighs 112 to 157 g (4.0 to 5.5 oz). Males of both subspecies have a wide bright red malar area and cheek (and sometimes around the eye); females are barred or scaly brown there instead. In the nominate subspecies, adults of both sexes have a pale blond to buffish head including the long pointed crest, chin, and throat. They have deep rufous-black upperparts with a blond to cream-buff lower back, rump, and uppertail coverts.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Pale-crested Woodpecker?
- The pale-crested woodpecker is about 23 to 24 cm (9.1 to 9.4 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Pale-crested Woodpecker?
- The Pale-crested Woodpecker is a medium sized bird weighing about 137 g.
- Where can you see a Pale-crested Woodpecker?
- The Pale-crested Woodpecker occurs in 4 countries, including Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Pale-crested Woodpecker?
- The Pale-crested Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Ringed Woodpecker, the Ochre-backed Woodpecker and the Variable Woodpecker.
- Is the Pale-crested Woodpecker endangered?
- The Pale-crested Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Pale-crested Woodpecker for real
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