CHECKERED WOODPECKER Veniliornis mixtus
A Chaco Woodpecker, the dumpy little Checkered has a short, but finely pointed bill, a useful tool when pecking wood! With his pied plumage he may remind North American birders of a Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens. As with most woodpeckers males can be distinguished from females by the presence of red on the crown.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE2760PH) Dorsal view of adult male, Laguna Capitán, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Frank Fragano July 2006).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE2761PH) Dorsal view of adult male, Laguna Capitán, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Paul Smith July 2006).
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE2762PH) Lateral view of adult female, Laguna Capitán, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Hemme Batjes July 2006).
FIGURE 4 - (FPAVE2763PH) Adult female ventral view, Fortín Boquerón, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 5 - (FPAVE2764PH) Same individual dorsal view (Paul Smith October 2007).
VIDEO - (FPAVE2819PH) Adult, PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith August 2011).
FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3

FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4

FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5

FIGURE 5
Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes and Frank Fragano and is used with their permission.
Gallery 2 - Veniliornis mixtus nest
A nest of this common woodpecker was found on 8 November 2012 at Pirahú, Departamento Presidente Hayes. The nest contained a single, well-grown, volant juvenile that was highly vocal from within the nest chamber. The juvenile was being fed by adults, but when the nest was approached it flew from the chamber to a nearby tree. Maximum dimensions of the entrance 50mm high x 45mm wide, with the dimensions of the hole 36 x 28mm. The nest was located in an algarrobo tree at a height of approximately 2m. All photos and video by Paul Smith.

FIGURE 2a - (FPAVE3796PH) Nest hole.
FIGURE 2b - (FPAVE3797PH) Juvenile at nest hole.
FIGURE 2c - (FPAVE3798PH) Juvenile emerged from nest hole.
VIDEO - (FPAVE3799VI) Juvenile vocalising at nest hole.
FIGURE 2a

FIGURE 2a
FIGURE 2b

FIGURE 2b
FIGURE 2c

FIGURE 2c