Dryocopus
Encyclopedia
Dryocopus is a genus of large powerful woodpecker
s, typically 35–45 cm in length. It has representatives in North
and South America
, Europe
, and Asia
; some South American species are endangered. It was believed to be closely related to the American genus Campephilus
, but it is part of an entirely different lineage of woodpeckers altogether (Benz et al., 2006)
Their breeding habitat
is forested areas with large tree
s, where they nest in a large cavity in a dead tree or a dead part of a tree. They may excavate a new hole each year, creating habitat for other large cavity nesting bird
s. They are non-migratory
permanent residents.
They are mainly black in plumage
with red on the crown of the head, often as a crest. Most species also have some white areas of plumage, especially on the head, and some have additional red facial markings.
The male, female and juvenile plumages of each species usually differ, often in the extent of red on the crown and elsewhere on the head. The flight is strong and direct, and the calls are typically loud wild laughs. The drumming of these large birds can be heard from a great distance.
Dryocopus woodpeckers chip out large holes with their strong bills while searching out insect
s, especially beetle
larvae in trees. They will also take fruits, berries, and nuts.
The name Dryocopus come from the Greek
drus, an oak tree
and kopos, a cutter.
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s, typically 35–45 cm in length. It has representatives in North
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
; some South American species are endangered. It was believed to be closely related to the American genus Campephilus
Campephilus
Campephilus is a genus of large American woodpeckers in the family Picidae.This genus was created by George Robert Gray, who suggested taking Campephilus principalis as the type for the genus. The name Campephilus means "lover of grubs" - an allusion to the diet of these birds, many of which feed...
, but it is part of an entirely different lineage of woodpeckers altogether (Benz et al., 2006)
Their breeding habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
is forested areas with large tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s, where they nest in a large cavity in a dead tree or a dead part of a tree. They may excavate a new hole each year, creating habitat for other large cavity nesting bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s. They are non-migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
permanent residents.
They are mainly black in plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
with red on the crown of the head, often as a crest. Most species also have some white areas of plumage, especially on the head, and some have additional red facial markings.
The male, female and juvenile plumages of each species usually differ, often in the extent of red on the crown and elsewhere on the head. The flight is strong and direct, and the calls are typically loud wild laughs. The drumming of these large birds can be heard from a great distance.
Dryocopus woodpeckers chip out large holes with their strong bills while searching out insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s, especially beetle
Beetle
Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek , koleos, "sheath"; and , pteron, "wing", thus "sheathed wing". Coleoptera contains more species than any other order, constituting almost 25% of all known life-forms...
larvae in trees. They will also take fruits, berries, and nuts.
The name Dryocopus come from the Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
drus, an oak tree
Oak Tree
Oak Tree may refer to:*Oak, the tree*Oak Tree, County Durham, a village in County Durham, England*The Oaktree Foundation, a youth-run aid and development agency*Oak Tree National, golf club in Edmond, Oklahoma...
and kopos, a cutter.
Species
- Helmeted WoodpeckerHelmeted WoodpeckerThe Helmeted Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay....
, Dryocopus galeatus - Lineated WoodpeckerLineated WoodpeckerThe Lineated Woodpecker is a very large woodpecker which is a resident breeding bird from Mexico south to northern Argentina and on Trinidad.-Description:The Lineated Woodpecker is long...
, Dryocopus lineatus - Pileated WoodpeckerPileated WoodpeckerThe Pileated Woodpecker is a very large North American woodpecker, almost crow-sized, inhabiting deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific coast. It is also the largest woodpecker in America.Adults are long, and weigh...
, Dryocopus pileatus - Black-bodied WoodpeckerBlack-bodied WoodpeckerThe Black-bodied Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist savanna, and plantations ....
, Dryocopus schulzi - White-bellied WoodpeckerWhite-bellied WoodpeckerThe White-bellied Woodpecker is found in evergreen forests of tropical Asia. It has 14 subspecies, part of a complex including the Andaman Woodpecker . Many island forms are endangered, some are extinct. Populations differ in the distribution and extent of white...
, Dryocopus javensis - Andaman WoodpeckerAndaman WoodpeckerThe Andaman Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family. It is endemic to the Andaman Islands in India. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Dryocopus hodgei - Black WoodpeckerBlack WoodpeckerThe Black Woodpecker, Dryocopus martius, is a large woodpecker, 45–50 cm long with a 64–84 cm wingspan. Body weight is approximately 300-400 grams on average. It is easily the largest woodpecker in its range...
, Dryocopus martius