Magellanic Woodpecker
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| Campephilus magellanicus (King, 1828) |
The Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus) is a very large woodpecker resident to Chile along the Andes, and to some parts of South-Western Argentina. This species is the southern-most example of the Genus Campephilus, which includes the famous Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
The Magellanic Woodpecker is 36-38 cm in length. Males of this species weigh 312-363g, and females weigh 276-312g.
This species is mainly black, with a white wing patch and a grey, chisel-like beak. Males have a crimson head and crest. Females have a mainly black head, but there is an area of red coloration near the base of the bill. Juvenile Magellanic Woodpeckers resemble females of the species, but have a smaller crest and are browner in color. In its range, this bird is unmistakable in appearance.
Magellanic Woodpeckers inhabit mature Nothofagus and Nothofagus-Austrocedrus forests, where they feed mainly on grubs and adult beetles. They breed in late fall to early winter, digging a nest cavity 5-15m above the ground. Females lay 1-4 eggs.
The most common calls of the Magellanic Woodpecker are a nasal “keé-yew” and “pi-caá”. Like many species in Campephilus, their drum is a loud double knock.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Campephilus magellanicus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 31 Aug 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Woodpeckers: A guide to the woodpeckers of the world” by Winkler, Christie and Nurney, ISBN 0-395-72043-5
