Scale-breasted Woodpecker (Celeus grammicus)

Identification & Behavior: ~22.5 cm (9 in). The Scale-breasted Woodpecker is chestnut-rufous with dusky barring on the underpart and upperparts. The bill is pale. The male has a red malar stripe, which is missing in the female. Both sexes have a pale bill. It favors Terra Firme forest in Amazonia where it often joins mixed-species foraging flocks. It is similar to the Chestnut Woodpecker, but is distinguished by a variable but always present barring on the upperparts and underparts, and by being lighter in coloration.

Status: The Scale-breasted Woodpecker is uncommon in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1200 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Carpintero de Pecho Escamoso.

Sub-species: Scale-breasted Woodpecker (Celeus grammicus verreauxii), Malherbe 1858. E Ecuador and adjacent NE Peru.
(C. g. grammicus), Natterer and Malherbe 1845. NE Peru and W Brazil.
(C. g. latifasciatus), Seilern 1936.  SE Peru and SW Brazil S to N Bolivia (Beni).

Meaning of Name: Celeus: Gr. keleus= green woodpecker. grammicus:  Gr. Grammikos= recorded, inscribed.

See more of the Family Picidae