Chrysophlegma miniaceum
The Banded Woodpecker (Chrysophlegma miniaceum) is a striking member of the Picidae family, readily identifiable by its vibrant plumage and distinctive barring. Males exhibit a brilliant crimson crown and nape, complemented by an olive-green back, a golden-yellow rump, and a prominent red malar stripe. Females share the red crown but lack the malar stripe. Both sexes display fine black barring on their underparts and bold black-and-white barring on their flight feathers, contributing to their...
This species primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland and montane forests, often found at forest edges, secondary growth, and even rubber plantations, typically below 1,500 meters in elevation.
Their diet consists primarily of ants and termites, which they extract from wood and bark, supplemented by other insect larvae and occasionally some fruit.
Banded Woodpeckers are diurnal, active foragers, often observed singly or in pairs as they meticulously glean and excavate insects from tree trunks and branches. Their foraging strategy involves vigorous hammering and probing, particularly on decaying wood, to extract larvae and adult insects. Th...
The Banded Woodpecker is widely distributed across Southeast Asia, spanning from southern Myanmar and Thailand through the Malay Peninsula. Its range extends further south into the Indonesian archipelago, encompassing the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, and Java. While generally a lowland species, it...
Least Concern
- The Banded Woodpecker's scientific genus name, Chrysophlegma, translates to 'golden flame,' referring to the often fiery or golden plumage patterns found in some species within this group. - Unlike many woodpeckers that forage high in the canopy, Banded Woodpeckers are frequently observed on th...