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.
| Fernandina's flicker | |
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| Bermejas, Cuba | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Piciformes |
| Family: | Picidae |
| Genus: | Colaptes |
| Species: | C. fernandinae
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| Binomial name | |
| Colaptes fernandinae Vigors, 1827
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| Synonyms | |
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Nesoceleus fernandinae | |
Description
editFernandina'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
editFernandina'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
editThough 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
editLike 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
editFernandina'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
editThough 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
editWith 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]
Sources
editCitations
edit- ^ a b BirdLife International (2021). "Colaptes fernandinae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T22681293A179186511. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22681293A179186511.en. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Raffaele, Herbert; James Wiley; Orlando Garrido; Allan Keith; Janis Raffaele (1998). A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press. p. 349. ISBN 0-691-08736-9.
- ^ a b Winkler & Christie 2002, p. 514
- ^ a b "BirdLife International Species factsheet: Colaptes fernandinae". BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ^ a b c d e f Leonard, Pat (Summer 2007). "Fernandina's Flicker: Flashy flickers are few and far between". BirdScope. 21 (3): 20. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ^ Mitchell, Andy; Lyn Wells. "The threatened birds of Cuba project report" (PDF). Cotinga. 7 (1): 69–71.
- ^ a b Wechsler, Doug (Mar–Apr 1998). "Dark times for Cuba's Sabal palms - endangered trees of Zapata Swamp". International Wildlife. 28 (2).
References
editWinkler, Hans; Christie, David A. (2002). "Family Picidae (Woodpeckers)". Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 7: Jacamars to Woodpeckers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 296–555. ISBN 84-87334-37-7.
External links
edit- Fernandina's flicker photos from the Visual Resources for Ornithology department of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences
- Fernandina's flicker videos from Handbook of the Birds of the World's Internet Bird Collection
- Fernandina's flicker on stamps[usurped]