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
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameCheckered Woodpecker
- Scientific nameDryobates mixtus
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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