Celeus is a genus of bird in the woodpecker family, Picidae, found in tropical and subtropical forests and woodlands of Central and South America. The genus contains 13 extant species. One, Kaempfer's woodpecker, was believed to be extinct until a specimen was caught in 2006.
Celeus (bird)
Kaempfer's woodpecker (Celeus obrieni)
Female helmeted woodpecker formerly (Dryocopus galeatus) - now (Celeus galeatus)
Male chestnut-colored woodpecker (Celeus castaneus), Costa Rica
Woodpeckers are part of the bird family Picidae, which also includes the piculets, wrynecks and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known that live in treeless areas, such as rocky hillsides and deserts, and the Gila woodpecker specialises in exploiting cacti. Woodpeckers are known as the loudest birds of the forest.
Woodpecker
A black-rumped flameback using its tail for support
Diagram showing the hyoid bone of Dendrocopos major
Use of cacti for breeding and roosting holes allows some woodpeckers to live in treeless deserts, such as the ladder-backed woodpecker, which uses cacti for nesting.
