The Blond-crested Woodpecker (*Celeus flavescens*) is a striking inhabitant of South American forests, easily recognized by its shaggy, pale-yellow crest that contrasts sharply with its rich, cinnamon-brown body and black-barred wings. Males sport a distinctive red patch on the cheeks, while both sexes share piercing pale eyes and a dark, slightly curved bill. A truly unique feature is their diet: they are specialized foragers of arboreal ants and termites, often using their sticky, barbed tongue to extract insects from deep crevices, and they exhibit a fascinating habit of consuming fruit to supplement their insect-heavy meals. Their loud, laughing call and undulating flight add to their charismatic presence, making them a memorable sight for any birdwatcher exploring their tropical range.

Faits amusants

The blond-crested woodpecker has a bizarre nesting habit—it often excavates its cavity inside active termite mounds, using the insects’ walls as insulation and protection. Its pale, almost creamy head isn’t just for show; the feathers are stiff and waxy, repelling sticky sap and resin that ooze from the trees it drills. Males and females swap roles constantly during incubation, with one parent even feeding the other while it sits on eggs, a rare cooperative twist. When alarmed, it freezes in a contorted pose, tilting its head sideways to mimic a broken branch, blending perfectly against bark.

Habitats et répartition

The Blond-crested Woodpecker inhabits humid and semi-humid lowland forests, including primary rainforests, secondary growth, forest edges, and gallery forests along waterways. It is also found in more open wooded areas such as palm groves, plantations, and occasionally in nearby clearings with scattered trees. Its geographical range spans eastern and southern Brazil, from the states of Maranhão and Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul, extending westward into eastern Paraguay and the far northeastern corner of Argentina (Misiones).

Comportements & Reproduction

The Blond-crested Woodpecker is generally observed alone or in pairs, suggesting a monogamous social structure during the breeding season. Mating involves mutual tapping and vocal duets, with the pair excavating a nest cavity in dead trees, often in open woodlands or forest edges. Both parents share incubation duties for the eggs, which typically number two to four, and both feed the chicks after hatching. A unique reproductive strategy includes the use of active termite mounds for nesting, where the woodpecker drills a hole and the termites’ presence may deter predators or provide a stable microclimate. The chicks fledge after about four weeks and remain dependent on the parents for some time afterward.

Alimentation

The Blond-crested Woodpecker primarily feeds on ants and termites, using its strong bill to excavate decaying wood, bamboo stems, and arboreal termite nests to access these insects. It also consumes a variety of other arthropods, such as beetles and their larvae, and supplements its diet with fruits, berries, and occasionally nectar. An interesting behavioral fact is that it frequently forages in mixed-species flocks, taking advantage of disturbed insects flushed by other birds. Additionally, it is known to visit arboreal ant gardens—specialized plant and ant symbioses—where it extracts both ants and the plants' soft fruits, demonstrating a unique adaptation to exploit this complex microhabitat.

Couleurs

The Blond-crested Woodpecker has a striking pale yellow or golden-cream head and crest, contrasting with a black back and wings barred with white, and a white rump. Males display a red cheek patch, while females have a black one. Its black breast and belly are finely barred with white, and the tail is black. This pattern provides camouflage against sun-dappled bark in its tropical forest habitat.