Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay (B).
Lower Amazon (west to R Madeira), and from extreme south-eastern Peru (Pampas del Heath), southern Mato Grosso and north-eastern Brazil (northern Maranhío) south to eastern Bolivia, northern Argentina (south to Córdoba, northern Buenos Aires) and western and southern Uruguay.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
White Woodpecker (Melanerpes candidus) [XC813093]
by JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA from Sede campestre da ADUFG, Hidrol\u00e2ndia, Goi\u00e1s, Brazil (flight call, song)
White Woodpecker (Melanerpes candidus) [XC800387]
by JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA from Catura\u00ed-Goi\u00e1s Rio dos peixes, Brazil (song)
Subspecies
Distinctive. Sometimes placed in monotypic genus Leuconerpes, but shows many morphological similarities to typical Melanerpes.