Dinopium javanense
The Common Flameback, *Dinopium javanense*, is a strikingly beautiful medium-sized woodpecker, typically measuring 28-31 cm (11-12 inches) in length. Its most distinctive feature is its vibrant golden-yellow to fiery-red back and rump, contrasting sharply with a black upperwing and tail. The head exhibits a bold black and white striped pattern, featuring a prominent black malar stripe, a white supercilium, and a black nape. Sexual dimorphism is evident in the crest: males boast a full scarlet...
Found primarily in lowland tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, including mangroves, coastal woodlands, plantations, and disturbed secondary growth, typically below 1,100 meters elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, their diet consists mainly of ants, termites, ant pupae, and beetle larvae, extracted by drilling and probing into wood or bark.
Common Flamebacks are diurnal and generally solitary or found in pairs, occasionally forming small family groups. They roost singly in tree cavities excavated by themselves or other woodpeckers. Foraging involves a characteristic mix of hammering, probing, and gleaning on tree trunks, branches, a...
The Common Flameback is a widespread resident species across much of Southeast Asia. Its breeding and year-round range extends from southern Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, southward through Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. It is also found throughout the major Indonesian island...
Least Concern
- The Common Flameback's genus name, *Dinopium*, means 'shining bird', aptly describing its brilliant golden-yellow plumage. - It possesses zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward and two backward, providing an excellent grip for climbing tree trunks. - Their long, barbed tongue can exten...