Spot-breasted Woodpecker

The Spot-breasted Woodpecker is found across parts of South America, from Panama through the Amazon basin, typically in open woodland, gallery forest, and habitat near wetlands. Its yellow-green barred back paired with a spotted breast is distinctive among woodpeckers in its range.

It often forages lower and more openly than deep-forest woodpecker species, sometimes seen on the ground as well as in trees.

• Back and wing feathers are yellow-green with fine dark barring
• Breast feathers show bold black spots over a paler ground color, rather than bars
• Males show red on the crown and nape, while females show less or no red in these areas
• Underparts below the breast are paler with lighter spotting or barring
• Tail feathers are dark and stiffened for support on trunks and branches

Males show red on the crown and nape; females typically show reduced or absent red in these regions, varying somewhat by population. Juveniles are duller with less defined breast spotting. A single molt follows breeding.

• Found from Panama through parts of northern and central South America, including much of the Amazon basin
• Favors open woodland, gallery forest, and wetland edge rather than dense unbroken forest
• Resident, non-migratory

This species forages on trunks, branches, and occasionally on the ground, taking insects including ants. Its calls are sharp and repeated, and it drums to communicate during the breeding season. Nest cavities are excavated in dead wood, sometimes in isolated trees within open habitat.