Gray-crowned Woodpecker

Colaptes auricularis

The Gray-crowned Woodpecker, also known as the Grey-headed Woodpecker, is a medium-sized woodpecker found in the montane forests of Central and South America. It has a distinctive gray head and upperparts, with a red crown and black and white barred underparts. This species is known for its drumming and tapping sounds as it forages for insects and larvae in trees. It nests in tree cavities and is often seen in mixed-species flocks. The Gray-crowned Woodpecker plays an important role in its ecosystem by controlling insect populations and creating cavities that benefit other bird species.

Habitat: Montane forests