Wildlife
Magellanic woodpeckers are ivory-billed woodpeckers that are found in Argentina and Chile. Whilst the chicks are being brought up, the females tend to catch small prey such as spiders and insects, whilst the males catch larger beetle larvae, lizards and even the chicks of other birds. This behaviour allows both parents to forage in the same area without competing.
Scientific name: Campephilus magellanicus
Rank: Species
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Talking to the birds
David Attenborough communicates with woodpeckers.
There have been many wonderful moments between Sir David and the animals being filmed, but this Doctor Doolittle moment is one of the most charming. When he taps on a tree, the resident woodpecker pair comes closer to see off their rival to the territorial claim.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Magellanic woodpecker can be found in a number of locations including: South America. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Magellanic woodpecker distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Year assessed: 2009
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The Magellanic Woodpecker (Campaniles Magellanic) is a very large woodpecker found along the Andes of Chile and southwestern Argentina; it is resident within its range. This species is the southern-most example of the genus Campaniles, which includes the famous Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
The Magellanic Woodpecker is 45 cm (18 in) in length. Males of this species weigh 312-363 g (11-13 oz), and females weigh 276-312 g (9.7-11 oz). They are the largest South American woodpeckers and one of the largest woodpeckers in the world (Black Woodpeckers and Great Slaty Woodpeckers are the only larger extant species).
This species is mainly black, with a white wing patch and a grey, chisel-like beak. Males have a crimson head and crest. Females have a mainly black head, but there is an area of red coloration near the base of the bill. Juvenile Magellanic Woodpeckers resemble females of the species, but have a smaller crest and are browner in color. In its range, this bird is unmistakable in appearance.
Magellanic Woodpeckers inhabit mature Nothofagus and Nothofagus-Austrocedrus forests, where they feed mainly on grubs and adult beetles, but also on small reptiles. They breed in late fall to early winter, digging a nest cavity 5-15m above the ground. Females lay 1-4 eggs.
The most common calls of the Magellanic Woodpecker are a nasal “keé-yew” and “pi-caá”. Like many species in Campephilus, their drum is a loud double knock.
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Adapted to flying
Egg layer
Sexual dimorphism
Territorial