Olive Woodpecker

Olive Woodpecker
	Olive Woodpecker ( Celeus undatus )
Systematics
Order :	Woodpecker birds (Piciformes)
Family :	Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Subfamily :	Real woodpeckers (Picinae)
Genre :	Celeus
Type :	Olive Woodpecker
Scientific name
	Celeus undatus
	( Linnaeus , 1766)

The olive woodpecker ( Celeus undatus ) is a species of bird from the family of the woodpeckers (Picidae). This small and mostly dark red-brown woodpecker has a relatively small distribution area in the northeast of tropical South America . The species predominantly inhabits the dense rainforest , occasionally it is also observed in more open habitats such as savannahs in the area of forest fringes and near rivers. The food that is mainly sought in the treetops consists mainly of ants and termites , and the occasional olive woodpecker also eats seeds.

The species is considered to be rare and the world population is believed to be in decline. The IUCN classifies the olive-eared woodpecker as “least concern” due to the size of the distribution area and the probably still large population.

description

Olive woodpeckers are small woodpeckers with a distinct crest. The beak is quite short, almost pointed, bent downwards at the ridge and relatively narrow at the base. The body length is about 23-24 cm, the weight 58-73 g. These woodpeckers are thus about the size of a woodpecker , but lighter than this. In terms of coloration, the species shows a rather clear sexual dimorphism .

In males of the nominate form C. u. undatus is broadly banded in black on a reddish maroon background, including shoulder feathers, upper wing-coverts and umbrella feathers, almost the entire upper surface. The rump is a little lighter or more yellowish. The wings are black with cinnamon-red-brown banding. The control feathers are black on top with reddish-brown bands that extend individually and variably from the base to the tip.

The entire underside of the trunk is also reddish brown, fading yellow-beige towards the lower abdomen. Because of this, the breast is banded in a very wide, undulating black shape. Occasionally the breast feathers are completely black with narrow pale hems, in the worn dress the chest is completely black due to wear of these hems. The black banding becomes narrower and more regular towards the abdomen and flanks. The lower wings are cinnamon-colored, the wing bases banded in black. The lower tail is about the same color as the upper tail, but paler and sometimes shows a shade of yellow.

The entire head with the exception of the beard and cheeks is light reddish chestnut brown, the top of the head and bonnet are sometimes a little lighter. The top of the head can be unmarked or banded in black, the back of the ear-covers and the sides of the neck are finely mottled or banded with dark spots. The cheeks and the streak of beard are red, the red color just extends to the front ear covers. The chin and throat are black spotted or banded on a cinnamon beige background.

The beak is pale yellow to yellow-green. Legs and toes are greenish gray. The iris is reddish brown to red.

Females are missing the red areas on the sides of the head, these areas are reddish chestnut brown like the rest of the head.

Vocalizations

The most common call is a loud “wit-koa” . Furthermore, a soft, whispering, “kowahair” rising in pitch was described. Both sexes drum.

distribution and habitat

This woodpecker has a relatively small range in the northeast of tropical South America . The area extends from the east of Venezuela over the Guayanas to the south to the middle and lower Rio Negro in Brazil and to the south over the Amazon to the lower Tocantin and to the east of the province of Pará . The size of the total distribution area is estimated at 1.59 million km².

The species predominantly inhabits the dense rainforest , occasionally it is also observed in more open habitats such as savannahs in the area of forest fringes and near rivers. Olive woodpeckers are largely restricted to the lowlands and occur up to an altitude of 500 m.

Systematics

The olive woodpecker forms, according to Winkler et al. a super-species with the yellow-flanked woodpecker ( Celeus grammicus ). Winkler et al. recognize three subspecies:

Celeus et al. undatus ( Linnaeus , 1766) - Eastern Venezuela, the Guiana Islands, and northeastern Brazil. The nominate form is described above.
Celeus et al. amacurensis Phelps & WH Phelps Jr. , 1950 - State of Delta Amacuro in northeastern Venezuela. Darker, more chestnut brown than the nominate shape, head not lighter than the rest of the upper side, top of the head unmarked, rump more cinnamon-colored red-brown without yellow.

Celeus et al. multifasciatus ( Natterer & Malherbe , 1845) - East of the Tocantin River in the Brazilian province of Pará . Slightly larger than the other two subspecies, but tail proportionally shorter. Basic color lighter, more beige, top of the head, ear covers and throat dashed, not banded, black chest markings less strong. Bill blackish, lower bill lighter.

Way of life

Little information is available on the way of life of the species. The food that is mainly sought in the treetops consists mainly of ants and termites , and the olive woodpeckers occasionally eat seeds. Reproduction takes place in the Guayanas from the end of May to August, in the southeast of the range possibly in the first half of this period. The breeding caves are created in living and dead trees at a height of 4–30 m. Further information on the breeding biology is not yet available.

Existence and endangerment

Estimates of the size of the world population are not yet available. The species is thought to be rare and the world population is believed to be in decline. The IUCN classifies the olive-eared woodpecker as “least concern” due to the size of the distribution area and the probably still large population.

swell

Individual evidence

↑ The Olive Woodpecker at BirdLife International . Retrieved December 22, 2012.
↑ Hans Winkler, David A. Christie and David Nurney: Woodpeckers. A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets, and Wrynecks of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge 1995: p. 329
↑ Hans Winkler, David A. Christie and David Nurney: Woodpeckers. A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets, and Wrynecks of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge 1995: p. 330

literature

Hans Winkler , David A. Christie and David Nurney: Woodpeckers. A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets, and Wrynecks of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge 1995, ISBN 0-395-72043-5 , pp. 126-127 and 329-330.

Web links

Celeus undatus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2012. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2012. Accessed December 22, 2012th