Chilean Flicker
Colaptes pitius
No similar species in its range. Found in woodland, forest, matorral, and farmland with taller trees and hedges; often feeds on the ground. In some areas of central Chile nests in colonies in dirt bluffs, such as along roadsides; elsewhere usually nests in holes drilled in trees. Note the gray crown and plain buffy face (with dark whisker on male), big white rump patch, and yellow shafts to wing feathers (mainly visible in flight). Loud shrieking calls sometimes draw attention.
Identification
The Chilean flicker is about 30 cm (12 in) long and weighs 100 to 163 g (3.5 to 5.7 oz). Males and females have the same plumage except on their heads. Adult males are dark slate gray from forehead to nape; the last occasionally has a hint of red. They are buffish from their lores around the eye to the nape with fine black or black and red spots on the malar area that show as a diffuse patch. Their chin and throat are buffish white with black spots on the lower throat. Adult females have a buffish malar area with no spots and never any red on the nape. Both sexes have blackish brown upperparts with narrow white to buff-white bars; their rump is white with sometimes a few black spots. Their flight feathers are dark brown with pale shafts. The top side of their tail is brown-black; the central and outermost feathers have narrow white bars. Their tail's underside is yellowish with ill-defined bars. Their underparts are whitish with wide blackish brown bars on the breast and a mostly plain belly. Their longish bill is black, their iris whitish to yellowish, and the legs gray to green-gray. Juveniles are similar to adults but with brown eyes, a blacker crown, wider bars above, and more spots below.
Taxonomy
The Chilean flicker was originally described as Picus Pitius. For a time it was put in the monotypic genus Pituipicus that was later merged into Colaptes. The Chilean flicker and Andean flicker (C. rupicola) are sister species.<p>The Chilean flicker is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Colaptes pitius
- Authority
- (Molina, 1782)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Colaptes
Range and habitat
The Chilean flicker is found in central and southern Chile from the Coquimbo Region to central Magallanes Region and in adjacent southwestern Argentina between Neuquén and Santa Cruz provinces. It inhabits the temperate and Mediterranean climate zones. There it favors semi-open to open landscapes like the edges and openings in forest, open woodlands, riparian woodland, tree plantations, and scrublands. In elevation it mostly ranges between 600 and 1,000 m (2,000 and 3,300 ft) though it can be found near sea level in winter.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Chilean flicker is mostly resident throughout its range though it might be somewhat nomadic.<p>The Chilean flicker feeds almost entirely on adult ants, their larvae, and their pupae. It usually forages in family groups, usually on the ground though not far from trees. It hops about, poking, digging, and sweeping aside debris. It will investigate fallen logs and stumps but very rarely forages in trees.<p>The Chilean flicker's breeding season is believed to be between October and December. It excavates a nest cavity in a dead tree or snag and sometimes in an earthen bank. It is thought to be highly territorial. The clutch size is four to six eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known.<p>The Chilean flicker's vocalizations include "long 'wic wic wic' series", a "whistled variable 'kwee', singly or in series", and a "week-a, week-a".
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous Cacholote
Pseudoseisura unirufa
Large cinnamon-colored ovenbird with piercing yellow eyes and a long gray crest. Found in gallery forest, near marshes and woodlands; often near human habitations. Mostly forages on the ground, but also in trees; builds a large stick nest. Song is a loud duet: an accelerating series ending with a rattle mixed with “chew” notes.
Black Guineafowl
Agelastes niger
Small black guineafowl with a long tail and a bare red head. Note the narrow line of black feathers along the back of the neck and the top of the head. Found on the ground in lowland rainforest, sometimes venturing into forest clearings or onto tracks. Usually in pairs or small groups, which are quite shy. The vocalizations include a long series of “too-wit” whistles and fast, repeated, metallic “ghik” notes. Similar to other guineafowl, but smaller, all black, without white spots, and with an all-red head.
Hume's Treecreeper
Certhia manipurensis
Physically almost identical to Sikkim Treecreeper, but throat pale tan-orange instead gray. Bright contrasting rusty tail distinguishes it from other treecreepers in its range. A species of foothill to montane and submontane regions; averages lower in elevational range than Sikkim Treecreeper, with minimal to no range overlap. Favors broadleaf evergreen and mixed forests. Occasionally found in mixed-species flocks. Song is slower than that of Sikkim Treecreeper, a rather slow ringing trill composed of paired notes; calls include an echoing two-note “tsijew” and a high “tzit.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.