Cream-backed Woodpecker

The Cream-backed Woodpecker is the most common of the Campephilus genus of which 3 species can be seen in our zone.  It is a member of the Picidae family and we occasionally see this stunning looking Woodpecker in the Ibera Marshes.  It is usually heard before it is seen as it has a characteristic double drumming.

Plumage is predominantly black with a wide creamy triangular shaped patch on its back.  The male is red from the neck upwards and has a peaked crest with a short black and white stripe on its cheek.  The female has a black forehead which extends into the crest.  The rest of the head and throat is red.