Crimson-crested woodpecker

The crimson-crested woodpecker is a striking bird found from Panama down to northern Argentina and Trinidad. These large woodpeckers prefer to nest in big, dead trees where the female typically lays between 2 and 4 white eggs. The incubation period lasts about 9 to 14 days, and both parents care for the chicks for around 3 to 4 weeks.

This bird is quite sizable, measuring about 33 to 38 cm in length and weighing between 180 and 285 grams. One of its most distinctive features is its red crest, complemented by white markings on its throat and shoulders. The crimson-crested woodpecker has a varied diet that includes insects, small vertebrates, and berries, and often forages in groups.

Their call is distinctive, characterized by a loud "CHEE-sic" sound audible from a distance. Both male and female woodpeckers engage in drumming. Although they closely resemble the pileated woodpecker of North America, the two species can be differentiated by their plumage and size.