The New Neotropical Companion

hitch vertically up tree trunks, their bodies supported by

stiff tail feathers that act as a prop (plate 15- 81).

Woodpeckers, of which there are 254 species, occur

globally (except Australia and Antarctica) wherever

there are trees, and, thus many are temperate- zone

species. However, both the size range and the species

richness of woodpeckers are highest in the tropics,

where they vary in size from the 36 cm (14 in) ivory-

billed types (Campephilus spp.; plate 15- 82) to the

diminutive, 9 cm (3.5 in) piculets (Picumnus spp.; plates

15- 83– 84). Neotropical woodpeckers range in color

from bold black with a red crest, to greenish olive, to soft

browns and chestnut (plates 15- 85– 86). Some species

have horizontal black and white “zebra” stripes on their

backs and varying amounts of red on the head.

Neotropical woodpeckers excavate roosting and

nesting cavities that are sometimes usurped by other

species. Alexander Skutch, famous for his detailed

accounts of nesting tropical bird species, observed a

group of Collared Aracaris (Pteroglossus torquatus)

evict a pair of Pale- billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus

guatemalensis) from their nest cavity.

Anis and Cuckoos

Anis and Cuckoos (family Cuculidae) are, like

woodpeckers, globally distributed, occurring on all

continents except Antarctica. Most of the 149 species

are found in the tropics, and most of those are in the

Australasian tropics. The 23 species found in South

America are an interesting and diverse lot. All cuckoos

feed on various animals, ranging from arthropods to

small vertebrates. Anis are easy to see, but many species

of forest cuckoos tend to be furtive. They vocalize often

but are difficult to locate in the foliage.

It is difficult to visit the tropics without seeing

groups of anis, iridescent black birds with long, loosely

held tails and prominent, hawklike black beaks. Three

species occur, each widely distributed. The Smooth-

billed Ani (Crotophaga ani; plate 15- 87) and the

Groove- Billed Ani (C. sulcirostris) are typically found

in disturbed roadside habitats and farmland, and the

Greater Ani (C. major), the largest, is characteristic of

wetland areas and river edges. Anis nest cooperatively

in groups, and several females contribute their eggs to

the same nest.

Among the most social birds of the family is the

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira; plate 15- 88), which

typically associates in groups of about 10 or more

Plate 15- 86.

Plates 15- 85 and 15- 86. Two richly colored members of the

tropical genus Celeus. The Chestnut Woodpecker (C. elegans;

15- 85) is widely distributed throughout Amazonia, usually in

várzea and gallery forests. The Waved Woodpecker (C. undatus;

15- 86) occurs in northeastern South America. Females are

shown. Photos by Andrew Whittaker.

Plate 15- 85.

Plate 15- 87. Two Smooth- billed Anis. Photo by John Kricher.

chapter 15 neotropical birds: the bustling crowd 293