Woodpeckers

The woodpeckers are an extensive family of the order of the Piciformes , of which 218 species are currently known, except in Australia, New Zealand and Madagascar, woodpeckers populate all the forested latitudes of the planet.

Their size ranges between 20 and 59 cm They have a characteristic shape of their beak that makes them unmistakable among other bird species.They have a very long and sticky tongue that curls inside a cranial cavity.This dampens the forcefulness of the blows who tips the logs when looking for food.

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Woodpeckers threatened in the Iberian Peninsula

In Spain and Portugal there are 8 species of woodpeckers.

Two of the species are very threatened.The medium peak , Dendocropos medius , is one of the species in serious danger of extinction in the peninsula.It is also found in Europe and the Middle East.

The other threatened species is the precious black pito , Dryocopus martius , an elegant black woodpecker and a red tuft on its head.It is a large bird that measures up to 47 cm, and with a wingspan of up to 68 cm.It is the largest among the peninsular woodpeckers.These birds are meticulously tracked so that they can trace their population.We can see it in the following image:

Woodpeckers of the Iberian Peninsula

In the Iberian Peninsula, fortunately there are 6 more species whose concern for the species is less.

• The picapinos beak , Dendrocopos major , is the best known among the peninsular woodpeckers.Thanks to its powerful beak and its wide spectrum of feeding, this bird has adapted to multiple wooded habitats.It has been installed both in mountain forests, as in forests of riverbank.Apart from the usual larvae and berries that other species consume, this bird predates insects, eggs and chickens from other birds.This species also populates northern Africa and Eurasia.
• The Dorsiblanco beak , Dendocropos leucotos , is a species with low population density in the peninsula.It is found in the Pyrenean mountain range.It is also found throughout Eurasia.
• The pico minor , Dendrocopos minor , is the smallest species among the various European woodpeckers.Africa and Eurasia also proliferate this species.
• The torcecuellos , Jynx torquilla .Its great flexibility with the neck and a peculiar snort when you feel threatened are the identity signs of this species.It also resides throughout Africa and Eurasia.
• The royal pito , Picus viridis , is a woodpecker among these species peninsular that is expanding, as it adapts to urban tree-lined areas.
• The Iberian Pito , Picus sharpei, is endemic to the forests of the Iberian Peninsula.

In the image we can see a torceuellos:

Woodpeckers in Colombia

In Colombia, 4 species of woodpecker are cataloged.These birds, apart from their characteristic peaks that are used to drill the wood, are characterized by their sinuous, undulating flight.They flirt to raise their position in the air, they collect the wings descending, and then they resume the lifting flutter.Another common feature is the stiffness of the feathers of their tails, on which they lean against the trunks to hammer more strongly on them.

• The carpenter of the oaks , Melanerpes formicivuros , is a very common species in Colombia.It inhabits the forests of oaks, pines and redwoods.It feeds on acorns, pinions, fruits and berries.Also of various insects that hunt on the fly, and if it descends to the ground it feeds on ants.These birds sometimes drill the trunks to feed on the sugary and energetic sap.It is a common practice in many other birds.Carpenters.Sometimes he eats lizards.But flying ants are a major source of food.
• The freckled buchi , Chrysuptilus punctigula , is a small bird Carpenter who sometimes drills his nest in thick bamboo gray hair.
• The smoked carpenter , Leuconotopicus fumigatus , is distributed from Mexico to Argentina.bird presents a remarkable gender dimorphism, since the males are entirely of a satin black; while the females are brown, there are 4 subspecies.
• The real carpenter or red nuqui, Colaptes melanochloros , inhabits Central America to Argentina.even for urban parks.

Woodpeckers in Argentina

Argentina is very rich in woodpeckers, since it has 28 cataloged species.Here we will show you some examples.

• The pitigue or carpenter pitio , Colaptes pitius , is the most widespread woodpecker species in Argentina.It measures about 32 cm and its habitat is low-dense forests and jungle perimeter, avoiding entering the jungle.Only exceptionally installed in the interior of logs, as with most Piciformes.He prefers to dig deep holes in ravines, and steep slopes.He also drills nests in cacti.
• The giant carpenter , Campephilus magellanicus , lives in the Andean-Patagonian zone of Chile and Argentina.It measures up to 38 cm., and weighs up to 363 gr.The females are smaller.The year 2012 was democratically chosen as Provincial Land Bird of Fire by the Fuegians.
• The yellow-walled woodpecker , Celeus flavescens , is a bird that He lives in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.He lives in both jungle and savanna areas.He has 3 subspecies adapted to the territory.He has a nice yellow tuft on his head.He feeds basically on termites and often nests on trees that have shrubby termites.

In the image we can see a yellow tufted carpenter:

Woodpeckers in Mexico

In Mexico, as in both American continents and its isthmus, live different species of woodpeckers.

• The golden carpenter , Colaptes chrysoides , is also called California carpenter.Its distribution covers the northwest of Mexico and the southwest of the United States.It has a size of about 29 cm.It inhabits the deserts of Yuma, Sonora and parts of the Colorado desert; also in areas of the peninsula of California.Often nests in holes that dig in the large saguaro cactus .The cactus not to lose moisture through the hole made by the bird, secretes a sap that covers the interior from the hole, hardening and waterproofing the cavity.This process is called saguaro boot .
• The Mexican peak , Dryobates scalaris , also usually nests in cacti.It inhabits from North America to Central America.It has 9 subspecies.
• The black-faced woodpecker , Melanerpes pucherani , inhabits Mexico to Peru.
• The Arizona peak , Leconoutopicus arizonae , is a bird native to southern Arizona that is also found in the foothills Mountains of the Sonoran Desert, Mexico.2 subspecies are recognized.

In the image we can see a Mexican peak:

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