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CINNAMON WOODPECKER  Celeus loricatus 18.5–21cm. Stunning but

often rather inconspicuous, cinnamon-brown crested woodpecker of humid

lowland forest and edge. Feeds mainly at mid–upper levels; often in canopy,

where easily overlooked unless vocal. Smaller than Chestnut-colored Wood­

pecker, with cinnamon-brown head, paler underparts boldly scalloped blackish.

SOUNDS: ‘Song’ a far-carrying, slightly descending series of (3–5, usually 4)

loud ringing notes, last 1–2 abruptly lower and shorter, keeu keeu keu ku.

Agitated call a rapid chittering rattle, 1–3 secs, often ending with an emphatic

cluck, k-k-k-k-k-kyu! STATUS:  Uncommon to fairly common on Caribbean

slope, to 900m. (Nicaragua to w. Ecuador.)

CHESTNUT-COLORED WOODPECKER  Celeus castaneus 21.5–24cm. Stun­

ning but often rather inconspicuous, crested woodpecker of humid lowland

forest and edge. Feeds mainly at mid–upper levels, including at fruiting and

flowering trees. Distinctive, with rather wobbly blond to cinnamon crest; cf.

slightly smaller Cinnamon Woodpecker. SOUNDS: Slightly explosive, overslurred

hollow whéow, at times followed by a short cluck, kéyow hik, or by laughing

series of nasal notes; sharp, nasal, slightly squeaky wí-chk! Drum relatively high

and hollow, often rather soft, ohrrrr..., 1–1.5 secs. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly

common on Caribbean slope, to 750m. (Mexico to w. Panama.)

LINEATED WOODPECKER  Dryocopus lineatus 31.5–34cm. Large ‘Woody

Woodpecker’ of varied wooded habitats, mangroves, plantations, hedgerows;

often in semi-open country. Feeds low to high, often perches conspicuously on

bare snags. Pale-billed Woodpecker slightly larger with blockier red head, pale

bill (Lineated in northwest has pale bill), white lines on back more closely

spaced into broken V, not parallel lines of Lineated; beware juv. Pale-billed,

which has black face and white cheek stripe suggesting Lineated. SOUNDS: Fairly

rapid, overall steady laughing series of yelping clucks, yeh-yeh..., often gets

louder and then fades abruptly at end, 3–6 secs duration; may suggest Roadside

Hawk and also recalls N American flickers. Sharp chik notes, often repeated steadily or run into a low

growl, puik! errrr, recalling Common Squirrel Cuckoo. Drum powerful and resonant, fairly slow-paced,

durrrr..., 1–2 secs. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, to 1200m. (Mexico to S America.)

PALE-BILLED WOODPECKER  Campephilus guatemalensis 35.5–38cm. Lar­

gest woodpecker in Costa Rica, favoring woodland and forest with large trees,

adjacent semi-open areas, plantations. Habits much like Lineated Woodpecker,

but Pale-billed is more of a forest-based bird. In deeply undulating flight,

wings make louder rush than Lineated. Note close-spaced white back stripes

forming a V. Adult male has red head, female has black forehead and throat.

Juv. very different, with black face and broad white cheek stripe, cf. Lineated;

attains adult appearance in 1–2 months. SOUNDS: Sharp nasal clucks, often

repeated persistently with hesitant cadence; recalls a squirrel scolding. Classic

drum a distinctive, loud, rapid double-rap. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, to 1500m. (Mexico

to w. Panama.)