Powerful Woodpecker
Campephilus pollens
Large woodpecker found in the subtropical and temperate zones in the Andes from extreme western Venezuela to Peru. Look for the white stripe that runs down the face and neck, a white ‘V’ on the back, and the cinnamon belly with dark barring. The male has a red crest. Found at higher elevations than any similar large woodpeckers – typically above 1,800m and all the way up to over 3,000m. Pairs wander widely throughout the forest, so they are infrequently encountered.
Identification
The powerful woodpecker is about 32 cm (13 in) long. The sexes differ only on their heads: Adult males are red from their forehead to their crest; females are black there. Both sexes of the nominate subspecies have a black and white face including the throat; the white is a wide band from the lores to below the rear of the ear coverts and from there down the side of the neck. Both sexes have a black hindneck, mantle, scapulars, and upper back with narrow white stripes on either side. Their lower back and rump are white and their uppertail coverts black. Their wings' top surface is black with white tips on the primaries and some white spots or bars on the secondaries. Their wings' undersides are blackish with white bars. Their tail is black. The center of their breast is black and the rest of their underparts are cinnamon-buff with black bars or chevrons. Their bill is a long black chisel, their iris white or pinkish white, and their legs dark gray. Juveniles resemble adults but are duller and browner with more bars on their upperparts and wider ones on their underparts. Subspecies P. c. peruvianus differs from the nominate with a cinnamon-buff lower back and rump, often with black bars, and also often cinnamon-buff bars on the black uppertail coverts.
Taxonomy
The powerful woodpecker was for a time placed in genus Scapaneus, which was merged into genus Phloeoceastes, which in turn was merged into the current Campephilus. The powerful woodpecker has two subspecies, the nominate C. p. pollens (Bonaparte, 1845) and P. c. peruvianus (Cory, 1915).
- Scientific name
- Campephilus pollens
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1845)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Campephilus
Range and habitat
The nominate subspecies of the powerful woodpecker is found in the Andes from north-central Colombia and southwestern Venezuela south through Ecuador almost to Peru. Subspecies P. c. peruvianus is found on the east slope of the Peruvian Andes as far south as the Department of Junín. The species mostly inhabits the interior and edges of mature montane forest, humid and wet forest, and cloudforest. It also occurs in secondary forest and other more open forest. In elevation it ranges from 900 to 3,750 m (3,000 to 12,300 ft) but is found mostly between 1,700 to 2,600 m (5,600 to 8,500 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-hooded Thrush
Turdus olivater
Medium-sized thrush of montane forests. Looks large and bulky compared to other thrushes in range; note male’s distinctive black head contrasting with brownish-olive body and yellow bill and legs. Female is similarly patterned but much duller. Found in highland forest and second growth, generally above 800 meters, where it is often the most common thrush. Most reliably seen at fruiting trees, where many individuals may congregate; also often seen at middle levels of forest, where it may take conspicuous perches to assess an observer before flying off. Song is a halting series of phrases, many of them doublets, generally alternating between rich, low notes and high reedy ones; call note is a rich, liquid bark. Male is unlikely to be confused with other species; female could be confused with female Pale-eyed Thrush but is larger, has darker eyes with distinct eyering and a semblance of male’s hooded look.
Mouse-gray Flycatcher
Myiophobus crypterythrus
Small, dull-colored flycatcher fond of lightly wooded areas, dry savanna, and forest edge. Its brownish-gray plumage, streaky breast, and buffy wingbars separate it from other similar species. Song is a quick “swee-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch…”; also gives a series of well-spaced whistles. Usually seen alone or in pairs, often sitting quietly on a low perch. Note its restricted range in far southwestern Colombia, western Ecuador, and northwestern Peru (mostly west of the Andes, but also in the Marañón Valley). Formerly considered a subspecies of Bran-colored Flycatcher.
Buru Golden-Bulbul
Hypsipetes mysticalis
A thrush-sized olive-colored songbird with a long, fairly heavy bill. Plumage uniform olive-green except for narrow yellow chin, yellow patch between the bill and the eye, and partial yellow eye-ring above the eye. Pairs or small groups occupy forest, degraded forest, edges, and plantations from sea level to foothills. Unmistakable; limited to the island of Buru. Song starts with several soft “pip” or “chek” notes, then explodes in a series of variable whistles, e.g. “WEE-WEE-WEE-WEK-pewee-pewee-WEE-WEE.” Calls include dry “chek” notes and rasping “chirrrik” calls.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.