Scarlet-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates callonotus)

Identification & Behavior: ~14 cm (5.5 in). The Scarlet-backed Woodpecker has all the underparts and sides of the head pale with fine dusky bars. The upperparts and rump are scarlet. The male has a red forehead and crown. The female has a dusky forehead and crown. The bill is pale.  The only other woodpecker with a bright red back is Crimson Mantled Woodpecker, but the ranges of these two woodpeckers do not overlap.

Status: The Scarlet-backed Woodpecker is common in deciduous forest and scrub in northwest Peru where it is known to range up to 1500 m of elevation. It also occurs in part of the Marañon Drainage. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Carpintero de Dorso Escarlata.

Sub-species: Scarlet-backed Woodpecker (Veniliornis callonotus major), Berlepsch and Taczanowski, 1884.

Meaning of Name: Veniliornis: Related to gender Venilia (Bonaparte, 1850); and ornis= bird. callonotus: Gr. Kalli= beautiful and nottos=back, backed.

See more of the Family Picidae