Yellow-tufted Woodpecker

*Top 50 Target Species

The Yellow-tufted Woodpecker is a boldly marked, social species found in Ecuador’s eastern lowland forests, where it inhabits humid tropical woodlands and degraded forest edges below 600 meters. Globally listed as Least Concern, it remains fairly common in Amazonian provinces like Pastaza and Napo, often seen in noisy, mixed-species flocks. This woodpecker forages acrobatically for fruit and insects, and excavates cavities with a preference for southeastern-facing entrances, possibly to regulate microclimate. Its vivid red belly, bluish-black upperparts, and yellow facial tufts make it one of the most visually striking members of Ecuador’s lowland avifauna.