Fernandina's flicker
Species of bird
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fernandina's flicker (Colaptes fernandinae) is a species of bird and type of woodpecker, in the family Picidae. Endemic to Cuba, it has a small population of 600–800 birds, which makes it one of the most endangered species of woodpecker in the world. It is mostly threatened by habitat loss.
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| Fernandina's flicker | |
|---|---|
| |
| Bermejas, Cuba | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Piciformes |
| Family: | Picidae |
| Genus: | Colaptes |
| Species: | C. fernandinae |
| Binomial name | |
| Colaptes fernandinae Vigors, 1827 | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Nesoceleus fernandinae | |
Description
Fernandina's flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker, ranging in length from 14–15 inches (33–35 cm).[2] Overall, it is mostly yellowish-tan, covered with varying amounts of black barring; its underwings are yellow. The male has a black mustachial stripe, which the female lacks.
Distribution and habitat
Fernandina's flicker is endemic to Cuba. Though it was apparently never common, it was formerly found across the island.[3] Now, however, it is restricted to isolated locations in nine of the country's 15 provinces: Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Granma, Holguín, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Río, Santiago de Cuba, and Villa Clara.[4] The largest population is found in Zapata Swamp, where some 120 pairs are estimated to live, though this number may have dropped following recent hurricanes.[3][4]
Fernandina's flicker's natural habitats include dry forests, dry savanna, swamps, and pastures.
Behavior
Though not a particularly social bird, Fernandina's flicker will sometimes form loose colonies of up to 15 pairs.[2] It regularly fights with other woodpeckers.
Feeding
Like its congeners, Fernandina's flicker often forages—primarily for ants, but also for other insects, worms, grubs and seeds—on the ground.[2][5] It uses its strong bill to probe the ground and flick aside leaf litter.
Breeding
Fernandina's flicker breeds between March and June;[2] during courtship, pairs regularly engage in high-flying chases. Like all woodpeckers, it is a cavity nester. Recent fieldwork has shown that it prefers to use nest holes started by West Indian woodpeckers (Melanerpes superciliaris); the flicker drives off the original owners, finishes off the excavation work, and moves in.[5] The female lays a clutch of three to five white eggs,[2] which are incubated for a period of about 18 days. The young fledge after 22 days.[5]
Voice
Though it is regularly silent, Fernandina's flicker's calls include a repeated wicka (the onomatopoeic sound which gives the genus its common name), and a loud series of pic notes.[5]
Conservation
With an estimated population of only 600–800 birds, Fernandina's flicker is one of the most endangered woodpecker species in the world.[5] Overall, that population is declining, principally because of habitat loss.[1] Farming, logging, hurricane damage and the caged bird trade—trappers bring down whole palm trees in order to capture nestling Cuban amazons (Amazona leucocephala leucocephala)[6][7]—are combining to squeeze the remaining birds into smaller and smaller isolated tracts.[5] In addition, West Indian woodpeckers have been observed killing the chicks of Fernandina's flickers.[7]