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Yellow-tufted Woodpecker Melanerpes cruentatus |
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Brazil and Ecuador
The Yellow-tufted Woodpecker is distributed in the Amazon Basin where it
inhabits forest, forest borders and clearings. See the distribution map at xeno-canto. A vital element in their habitat seems to be the existence of tall, dead trees.
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There are two morphs though I have only ever seen the one shown here with the white or pale yellow supercilium
extending to the nape. The dark morph does not show this although it does show the yellow eye with the pale eyering, the white lower back, the red
belly and the black bars on the whitish flanks. The male has a red crown which is missing from the female.
They are very social and noisy and are usually found in family groups of several individuals. They eat fruit and seeds as well
as insects.
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The birds in photo 2 were recorded by Jeremy Minns.
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