Peru's Endemic Birds VIII: Black-necked Woodpecker

	Piciformes
	Picidae
	Colaptes
	Peru (endemic)
	Least Concern

Taxonomy

• Originally described as Chrysopicos atricollis
• Later placed in Chrysoptilus
• Currently classified in Colaptes (since around 2007)
• Two subspecies: C. a. atricollis (nominate) and C. a. peruvianus

Description

• Size: 26–27 cm
• Weight: 73–90 g
• Males have red on the hindcrown; females have less red and more black
• Both sexes have barred green-brown upperparts and yellowish underparts
• Juveniles are duller with less distinct barring

Distribution and Habitat

• Endemic to the Peruvian Andes
• West slope: La Libertad to Tacna (500–2,800 m, locally up to 4,000 m)
• East slope: Marañón Valley to Huánuco (1,700–4,300 m)
• Habitats include dry cloud forests, montane scrub, desert scrub, woodlands, orchards, and gardens

Feeding

• Diet consists almost entirely of ants (adults, larvae, pupae)
• Forages alone or in pairs from ground level to treetops
• Uses gleaning and probing to find food

Breeding

• Breeds mainly around June–July
• Nests in trees, cacti, utility poles, and riverbanks
• Clutch size: 2–4 eggs
• Incubation: about 14 days
• Fledging: about 28 days
• Both parents incubate and feed chicks

Vocalization

• Calls include a repeated loud “wic”
• Alarm calls include “peah” and “chypp”

Status

• Listed by IUCN as Least Concern
• Population is stable, though exact numbers are unknown
• Generally uncommon but locally more frequent

Source: Wikipedia

Photo: Boris Herrera