Helmeted woodpecker

The helmeted woodpecker (Celeus galeatus) is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It has been recorded from far northeastern Argentina, southeastern Brazil, and eastern Paraguay. Its habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Helmeted woodpecker
at Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, São Paulo State, Brazil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Celeus
Species:
C. galeatus
Binomial name
Celeus galeatus
(Temminck, 1822)
Synonyms

Hylatomus galeatus
Dryocopus galeatus

Taxonomy

Coenraad Jacob Temminck described the helmeted woodpecker in 1822. Its specific epithet is from the Latin word galea, meaning "helmet". It was reclassified as Hylatomus galeatus by some authorities. Upon sequencing the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, two studies published in 2015 found that it lay genetically with the latter genus and proposed the name Celeus galeatus.[2][3] The placement of the helmeted woodpecker in the genus Celeus was accepted by the International Ornithologists' Union.[4]

Its genetic position indicates that it has evolved to mimic the lineated woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus), whose range it shares, by adopting similar plumage.[2]

Description

Adult birds are 27–28 cm (11 in) in length, with a long (3.15–3.5 cm (1.24–1.38 in)) bill that is wide at the base and shaped like a chisel. Its head, lores and ear coverts are cinnamon-coloured, brightening to red on the crown and crest. The mantle, wings, upper back and nape are brownish-black, the lower back is cream and the underparts barred black and cream.[5]

The red crest, black back, and barred underside of the helmeted woodpecker resemble those of two larger woodpeckers—the lineated woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) and the robust woodpecker (Campephilus robustus)—a form of mimicry which helps prevent attacks by other animals.[6]

Distribution and habitat

The helmeted woodpecker has been rated as vulnerable on the IUCN red list, as much of its habitat has been affected by deforestation and, although it is found across a large area, it is nowhere common. Its population is estimated at under 10,000 adult birds.[1] The removal of forest has led to it vanishing from much of its range. Among others, a population is confirmed to exist in Iguazú National Park.[7]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Hylatomus galeatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Benz, B.W.; Robbins, M.B.; Zimmer, K.J. (2015). "Phylogenetic relationships of the Helmeted Woodpecker (Dryocopus galeatus): A case of interspecific mimicry?". Auk. 132 (4): 938–950. doi:10.1642/AUK-15-72.1.
  3. Lammertink, M.; Kopuchian, C.; Brandl, H.B.; Tubaro, P.L.; Winkler, H. (2016). "A striking case of deceptive woodpecker colouration: the threatened Helmeted Woodpecker Dryocopus galeatus belongs in the genus Celeus". Journal of Ornithology. 157 (1): 109–116. doi:10.1007/s10336-015-1254-x. S2CID 18767414.
  4. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David (eds.). "Woodpeckers". World Bird List Version 6.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  5. Winkler, Hans; Christie, David A. (2010). Woodpeckers. A C Black. pp. 336–37. ISBN 9781408135037.
  6. "Deceptive Woodpecker Uses Mimicry to Avoid Competition". AMNH. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  7. Endangered Wildlife and Plants of the World. 12. Marshall Cavendish. 2001. pp. 1672–73. ISBN 9780761472063.
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