08/08/2026
At Caracolí Bird House in Colombia’s Meta region, this male Little Woodpecker (Veniliornis passerinus) clung to a textured tree trunk, his bright red crown standing out against the finely barred and spotted olive-brown plumage.
His head was tilted upward in focused attention. This male was actively tending a nest shared with a female, reflecting the cooperative care these small woodpeckers show during the breeding season.
Sexual dimorphism in the species is most clearly expressed on the head, with adult males carrying the distinctive red crown that females lack. Observing both sexes at the nest offers a fuller view of the species and the quiet roles each plays in the eastern Andean foothills.
©2026 Adam Rainoff Photographer
Caracoli Bird House "Rural Lodge" THINK TANK PHOTO Canon USA Canon