Picus puniceus
The Crimson-winged Woodpecker (Picus puniceus) is a strikingly colored, medium-sized avian resident of Southeast Asian rainforests, typically measuring 25-27 cm (10-10.5 inches) in length and weighing approximately 85-110 grams. Its most distinctive feature is a vibrant yellowish-green body plumage contrasted by brilliant crimson primary feathers on the wings and a fully crimson head and nape in males. Females exhibit a similar green body but possess a duller, streaked green crown, showcasing...
Primarily inhabits lowland evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, including secondary growth and forest edges, typically below 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) elevation.
Feeds predominantly on ants, ant larvae, termites, and other arboreal insects, obtained by drilling into decaying wood, probing bark crevices, and gleaning from foliage and tree trunks.
Crimson-winged Woodpeckers are generally observed singly or in pairs, sometimes briefly joining mixed-species foraging flocks, displaying a diurnal activity pattern. They employ classic woodpecker foraging techniques, drilling and probing into dead wood and bark for insects, but also glean vigoro...
The Crimson-winged Woodpecker is a resident species found across a broad swathe of Southeast Asia, from southern Myanmar through Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and into the Greater Sunda Islands. Its distribution includes Sumatra, Borneo, and parts of western Java, with confirmed presence also in...
Least Concern
- The Crimson-winged Woodpecker's brilliant crimson and green plumage provides surprisingly effective camouflage amidst the dappled light and dense foliage of tropical rainforests. - Unlike many woodpeckers, its drumming is often quiet and less frequently heard, making it a more challenging speci...