White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus - Pic dominicain

Systematics
  • Order 
    :

    Piciformes

  • Family
    :

    Picidés

  • Genus
    :

    Melanerpes

  • Species
    :

    candidus

Descriptor

Otto, 1796

Biometrics
  • Size
    : 29 cm
  • Wingspan
    : -
  • Weight
    : 98 à 136 g
Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

Pic dominicain
♂ adult
Pic dominicain

The White Woodpecker is a small to medium-sized bird easily recognizable by its white to creamy-white head, throat and bellly. The lower belly is yellowish. The pale and gray eye is widely circled with bright yellow. A thin black band extends from the back of the eye to the glossy black mantle. The male has a yellowish spot on the back of the neck. The beak is of medium size, straight, its color ranging from gray to black, being more light at its base. The back and top of the tail are white. The tip of the tail is black with some white spots. The tip of the wings is brownish. The legs are dark gray. The female has no yellow marking on the neck and belly. The juveniles are more brown than black.

Subspecific information monotypic species

Foreign names

  • Pic dominicain,
  • Carpintero blanco,
  • pica-pau-branco,
  • Weißspecht,
  • fehér küllő,
  • Witte Specht,
  • Picchio bianco,
  • vitspett,
  • Hvitspett,
  • tesárik biely,
  • datel běloprsý,
  • Hvid Spætte,
  • valkotikka,
  • picot blanc,
  • dzięciur biały,
  • Белый дятел,
  • シロキツツキ,
  • 白啄木鸟,
  • 白啄木,

Voice song and cries

Pic dominicain
adult

The cry of the White Woodpecker when perched is characteristic: krreeerr-ghirreh and changes to kirr-kirr-kirr in flight.

Habitat

The White Woodpecker likes semi-humid forests, thickets, savanna (Mato Grosso), open areas near orchards, and it can be found up to 2,000 meters altitude.

Behaviour character trait

Little is known about the habits of this bird: no nest has ever been observed. It seems to nest in holes in trees, but it also takes advantage of holes in rocks. It is often seen in groups of 5 to 10 individuals, sometimes with other White Woodpecker. These gatherings probably have a defensive purpose against predators. The breeding period is usually from September to November. The female lays 3 to 4 eggs that are incubated by both parents. The fledglings take off at 36 days.

Flight

Pic dominicain

The flight of the White Woodpecker is opposite to many other woodpeckers, and it is able to fly high over long distances.

Dietfeeding habits

Pic dominicain
adult

The White Woodpecker mainly consumes fruits, but also insects and seeds. It doesn't neglect bees, their larvae and their honey, particularly a pest of citrus trees, Trigona spinipes, a stingless bee. It sometimes catches insects mid-flight.

Geographic range

South America: Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, to the north of Argentina, Uruguay, French Guiana, Surinam.

Threats - protection

IUCN conservation status
Extinct
Threatened
Least
concern
Extinc
in the Wild
Near
threatened
Not
evaluated
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC NE

Although there is not precise data, the White Woodpecker does not seem to be in danger: it is probably quite common. Its habit of consuming fruits in plantations often leads to conflict with humans and unfortunately it is sometimes even poached in Argentina.

Sources of information

Other sources of interest

QRcode Pic dominicainSpecification sheet created on 02/08/2023 by
Translation by AI Oiseaux.net
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