In the humid embrace of Panama’s tropical forests, a soft, rhythmic tapping echoes from the high canopy. It’s not the wind or falling debris—it’s the unmistakable sound of the Cinnamon Woodpecker (Celeus loricatus), a master forager and one of the Neotropics’ most striking avian residents.

With a rich chestnut-brown body, bold black markings on the back, and a scarlet eye, the Cinnamon Woodpecker is a vision of subtle elegance. Males also sport a vivid red malar stripe that contrasts beautifully with their warm, cinnamon tones. Found from eastern Honduras to western Ecuador, this species is a regular—though not always easy—sighting in mature lowland and foothill forests, especially in well-preserved areas like Panama’s Soberanía National Park and the Darién region.

Unlike its louder, more conspicuous cousins, the Cinnamon Woodpecker moves quietly through the middle and upper forest layers. It feeds primarily on ants and beetle larvae, using its sturdy, chisel-like bill to probe into decaying wood and termite nests. With a barbed tongue coated in sticky saliva, it can extract prey from deep crevices, making it a highly specialized insectivore.

One of the bird’s most remarkable traits is its methodical, deliberate foraging style. While it does drum and peck like other woodpeckers, its sounds are softer, more purposeful—less about proclaiming territory and more about uncovering food hidden within the bark and branches. Pairs often forage together, moving in fluid coordination as they navigate the dense foliage.

Nesting typically takes place in tree cavities, which the pair excavates themselves. These secure chambers provide shelter for the eggs and protection from predators. While generally resident, the Cinnamon Woodpecker’s presence in a given area can signal a relatively undisturbed habitat, as it depends on mature trees for both feeding and nesting.

As deforestation continues to fragment tropical forests across its range, the Cinnamon Woodpecker's reliance on large trees and intact forest patches underscores the importance of conservation. Its quiet work in the canopy, though often overlooked, is a vital part of the intricate web of forest life.

Sources:

• Birds of Panama: A Field Guide by George R. Angehr and Robert Dean

• Woodpeckers of the World: The Complete Guide by Gerard Gorman

• Neotropical Birds Online – Cornell Lab of Ornithology

• Personal field observations in Pipeline Road, Soberanía National Park

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