Magellanic Woodpecker
Encyclopedia
The Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus) is a very large woodpecker
resident to Chile
along the Andes
, and to some parts of southwestern Argentina
. This species is the southern-most example of the genus
Campephilus
, which includes the famous Ivory-billed Woodpecker
.
The Magellanic Woodpecker is 45 cm (18 in) in length. Males of this species weigh 312-363 g (11-13 oz), and females weigh 276-312 g (9.7-11 oz). They are the largest South America
n woodpeckers and one of the largest woodpeckers in the world (Black Woodpecker
s and Great Slaty Woodpecker
s are the only larger extant species).
This species is mainly black, with a white wing patch and a grey, chisel-like beak. Males have a crimson head and crest. Females have a mainly black head, but there is an area of red coloration near the base of the bill. Juvenile Magellanic Woodpeckers resemble females of the species, but have a smaller crest and are browner in color. In its range, this bird is unmistakable in appearance.
Magellanic Woodpeckers inhabit mature Nothofagus
and Nothofagus-Austrocedrus
forests, where they feed mainly on grubs and adult beetle
s, but also on small reptiles. They breed in late fall to early winter, digging a nest cavity 5-15m above the ground. Females lay 1-4 eggs.
The most common calls of the Magellanic Woodpecker are a nasal “keé-yew” and “pi-caá”. Like many species
in Campephilus
, their drum is a loud double knock.
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....
resident to Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
along the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
, and to some parts of southwestern Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. This species is the southern-most example of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
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...
, which includes the famous Ivory-billed Woodpecker
Ivory-billed Woodpecker
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is or was one of the largest woodpeckers in the world, at roughly 20 inches in length and 30 inches in wingspan. It was native to the virgin forests of the southeastern United States...
.
The Magellanic Woodpecker is 45 cm (18 in) in length. Males of this species weigh 312-363 g (11-13 oz), and females weigh 276-312 g (9.7-11 oz). They are the largest 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...
n woodpeckers and one of the largest woodpeckers in the world (Black Woodpecker
Black Woodpecker
The 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...
s and Great Slaty Woodpecker
Great Slaty Woodpecker
The Great Slaty Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland...
s are the only larger extant species).
This species is mainly black, with a white wing patch and a grey, chisel-like beak. Males have a crimson head and crest. Females have a mainly black head, but there is an area of red coloration near the base of the bill. Juvenile Magellanic Woodpeckers resemble females of the species, but have a smaller crest and are browner in color. In its range, this bird is unmistakable in appearance.
Magellanic Woodpeckers inhabit mature Nothofagus
Nothofagus
Nothofagus, also known as the southern beeches, is a genus of 35 species of trees and shrubs native to the temperate oceanic to tropical Southern Hemisphere in southern South America and Australasia...
and Nothofagus-Austrocedrus
Austrocedrus
Austrocedrus is a genus of conifer belonging to the cypress family Cupressaceae. It has only one species, Austrocedrus chilensis, native to the Valdivian temperate rain forests and the adjacent drier steppe-forests of central-southern Chile and western Argentina from 33°S to 44°S latitude...
forests, where they feed mainly on grubs and adult 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...
s, but also on small reptiles. They breed in late fall to early winter, digging a nest cavity 5-15m above the ground. Females lay 1-4 eggs.
The most common calls of the Magellanic Woodpecker are a nasal “keé-yew” and “pi-caá”. Like many species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in 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...
, their drum is a loud double knock.
External links
- Magellanic Woodpecker videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Magellanic Woodpecker conservation program (Spanish)
- Stamps (for ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
) with RangeMap - Photo-High Res-(female); Article
- Aves de Chile: Magellanic Woodpecker - Description and photos
