Spot-breasted Woodpecker
Colaptes punctigula
The Spot-breasted Woodpecker (Colaptes punctigula) is a uncommon woodpecker found in 10 countries, weighing about 62 g. The spot-breasted woodpecker or spot-breasted flicker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae.
About the Spot-breasted Woodpecker
The spot-breasted woodpecker or spot-breasted flicker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Panama and every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The spot-breasted woodpecker is 18 to 21 cm (7.1 to 8.3 in) long and weighs 50 to 79 g (1.8 to 2.8 oz). Males and females have the same plumage except on their heads. Adult males of the nominate subspecies C. p. punctigula have a black forehead and forecrown and a red hindcrown and nape. They are white from their lores around the eye to the nape with a red malar stripe below it. Their chin and throat are black with white spots. Adult females have red only on the very back of the crown. Voice: The spot-breasted woodpecker has a large vocal repertoire. It includes "high-pitched weak and nasal 'wha' or 'kah' or 'keeh' in series", a series of "peek" notes in alarm, a "whew" whistle when courting or challenging a rival, a series of "ta-wick" or "week-a" calls in display, a "fast series of 'wick' notes", and "low soft 'pee-ya' calls at intimate meetings" between a pair.
What the Spot-breasted Woodpecker sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Spot-breasted Woodpecker can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Spot-breasted Woodpecker?
- The spot-breasted woodpecker is 18 to 21 cm (7.1 to 8.3 in) long and weighs 50 to 79 g (1.8 to 2.8 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Spot-breasted Woodpecker?
- The Spot-breasted Woodpecker is a medium sized bird weighing about 62 g.
- Where can you see a Spot-breasted Woodpecker?
- The Spot-breasted Woodpecker occurs in 10 countries, including Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.
- What does a Spot-breasted Woodpecker sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Spot-breasted Woodpecker on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Spot-breasted Woodpecker?
- The Spot-breasted Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Gilded Flicker, the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and the Chilean Flicker.
- Is the Spot-breasted Woodpecker endangered?
- The Spot-breasted Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Spot-breasted Woodpecker for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.