Scale-breasted Woodpecker

This medium-sized bird is native to the Amazon Basin and can be found across several South American countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. They typically inhabit lowland tropical rainforests and forest edges.

The bird features distinctive plumage with dark-edged feathers across its pale breast and belly, giving it a scaled appearance that inspired its name. It also features a barred back and a prominent, bushy crest on its head.

It belongs to the genus *Celeus*, a group of woodpeckers often characterized by their reddish-brown or cinnamon coloration. Other well-known birds in this same genus include the Blond-crested Woodpecker and the Chestnut Woodpecker.

Like most woodpeckers in the *Celeus* genus, they primarily feed on ants, termites, and other insects. They use their strong beaks to hammer into bamboo stalks and tree bark to extract their prey.