The smallest of the barred woodpeckers of Iberá, at only about 15 cm. The back is densely barred in black and white. The male's crown is dark red; the female has a brown crown. The face is brown with a dark malar stripe. The belly is white with fine black streaks. The bill is short and grey. It inhabits dry woodland, the espinal and the edges of the Chaco forest.
Behaviour
Solitary. It moves in a spiral up the trunks of medium and small trees, pecking at the bark in search of larvae and insects. It moves in short hops upward and sideways. Its song is a series of high "kitt kitt kitt" notes. It is harder to see than the green-barred woodpecker because of its small size and cryptic coloring.
How and when to see it
Year round. Detected mainly by the sound of its pecking on the bark. The portals with dry woodland are the best sites.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where checkered woodpecker has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where checkered woodpecker lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiencias con relato local y mirada cultural sobre los esteros.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Travesías a caballo por una red de refugios en el Iberá. Cabalgatas de varios días con…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Senderismo guiado. Visita guiada a museos, lugares históricos, capillas y senderos del…★ 5.0 - Salvaje Iberá
Senderismo, cicloturismo, safari fotográfico, avistaje de fauna, paseos largos en el día…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameCheckered Woodpecker
- Scientific nameDryobates mixtus
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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