Rufous-winged Woodpecker
Piculus simplex
The Rufous-winged Woodpecker (Piculus simplex) is a rare woodpecker found in 5 countries, weighing about 55 g. The rufous-winged woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae.
About the Rufous-winged Woodpecker
The rufous-winged woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufous-winged woodpecker is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 51 to 55 g (1.8 to 1.9 oz). Males and females have the same plumage except on their heads. Males are red from forehead to hindneck and very widely on the malar (cheek); the rest of its face is brownish green. The female's head is mostly brownish olive with red only on the nape and hindneck. Adults of both sexes have bronze-green upperparts. Their flight feathers are mostly cinnamon-rufous with much dark olive on the webs. Their tail is blackish with a hint of cinnamon-rufous on the outer feathers.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Guatemala.
When to see it
The Rufous-winged Woodpecker can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufous-winged Woodpecker?
- The rufous-winged woodpecker is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 51 to 55 g (1.8 to 1.9 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-winged Woodpecker?
- The Rufous-winged Woodpecker is a small sized bird weighing about 55 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-winged Woodpecker?
- The Rufous-winged Woodpecker occurs in 5 countries, including Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and Nicaragua.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-winged Woodpecker?
- The Rufous-winged Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Yellow-throated Woodpecker, the Golden-green Woodpecker and the Yellow-browed Woodpecker.
- Is the Rufous-winged Woodpecker endangered?
- The Rufous-winged Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rufous-winged Woodpecker for real
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