202

WOODPECKERS (PICIDAE; 16 SPECIES) Widespread family, absent Australasia.

Ages/sexes differ slightly to distinctly; usually attain adult appearance in 1–2 months after

fledging. Male usually has more red on head than female. Calls often useful for ID. ‘Song’ is

mechanical drumming of bill on wood, distinguishable with practice, only described here if

obviously distinct.

OLIVACEOUS PICULET  Picumnus olivaceus 9–10cm. Can be puzzling when

first encountered—doesn’t really look like a woodpecker. Inhabits forest edge,

open woodland, second growth, plantations, semi-open areas with scattered trees.

Very small and easily overlooked, but taps persistently when foraging, which may

draw attention. Mainly on outer branches and twigs, often hanging and clamber-

ing like a titmouse, not hitching on trunks. No similar species in Costa Rica, but

cf. larger and longer-tailed Plain Xenops, which has similar habits. SOUNDS: High,

thin, downslurred ssip and high sharp tk; very high, overall descending, rippling

trill, 1–2 secs; may suggest song of Yellow-faced Grassquit but thinner, with subtly

rippling cadence, higher and faster-paced than White-faced Gnatcatcher song. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly

common on s. Pacific slope, to 1500m, uncommon locally on n. Caribbean slope. (Guatemala to w. Ecuador.)

RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER  Veniliornis kirkii 14.5–15.5cm. Small

brown woodpecker of humid lowland forest, adjacent semi-open areas with

taller trees, second growth, mangroves. Mainly at mid–upper levels, often in

canopy, sometimes lower at edges and in semi-open habitats. Hops actively on

smaller trunks and branches. Note small size, barred underparts, yellowish nape,

paler eyering; red rump often cloaked by wings and not obvious. Cf. Smoky-

brown Woodpecker, larger Golden-olive and Rufous-winged Woodpeckers.

SOUNDS: Nasal squeaky eihk, and sharply inflected ih’dihk, can be repeated

steadily, 1–2 phrases/sec, at times run into a slightly descending, rapid chortling

rattle similar to Smoky-brown Woodpecker but usually shorter, about 1 sec. Drum relatively high and

rapid, about 1 sec, dirrrr.…STATUS: Uncommon on both slopes, to 200m. (Costa Rica to w. Ecuador.)

SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER  Dryobates (Veniliornis) fumigatus 15–

16cm. Small brown woodpecker of humid foothill forest and edge, second

growth, plantations, adjacent clearings with taller trees. Low to high, often in

vine tangles or other thick vegetation. Note overall plain plumage (no barring),

slightly paler face. Cf. Red-rumped Woodpecker; also Golden-olive Woodpecker,

especially in shady understory. SOUNDS: Sharp chik! and rough shrieky rattle,

2–3 secs; squeaky rhythmic chwíka chwíka…in interactions. Drum rapid and

rather low, durrrr..., <1 sec, lower than Red-rumped Woodpecker. STATUS: Fairly

common on both slopes, especially foothills, to 1800m. (Mexico to S America.)

RUFOUS-WINGED WOODPECKER  Piculus simplex 18–19cm. Medium-size

green woodpecker of humid forest, especially canopy, where easily overlooked.

Note olive face, pale-spotted breast, slightly bushy nape; cinnamon barring on

remiges best seen in flight. Distinctive when seen clearly but cf. Red-rumped

and Golden-olive Woodpeckers. SOUNDS:  Loud, screaming, overall slightly

descending kéeeah, at times in steady series, about 2 notes/sec; suggests Red-

shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus of N America. Drum distinctive, relatively

high and slow-paced, ahr-r-r..., 1–1.2 secs. STATUS:  Uncommon to fairly

common on both slopes, locally to 1200m. (Honduras to w. Panama.)

GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER  Colaptes (Piculus) rubiginosus 21–22.5cm.

Medium-size green woodpecker of humid foothill forest and edge, adjacent

clearings with taller trees, plantations. Mainly at mid–upper levels in taller

trees, where can remain still and quiet for long periods; easily overlooked unless

vocal. Juv. resembles adult but male mustache mottled gray. SOUNDS: Rapid-

paced, shrill churring rattle, 2–3.5 secs. Sharp, slightly explosive keéah or kyaah,

recalling a North American flicker. Drum relatively low, moderate-paced,

urrrr..., 1–2 secs. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, mainly 400–2100m;

scarce and local in Caribbean lowlands. (Mexico to S America.)