Freckle-breasted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos analis

The Freckle-breasted Woodpecker (*Dendrocopos analis*) is a captivating medium-sized member of the Picidae family, showcasing a striking plumage that perfectly explains its common name. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing between 30-50 grams, this woodpecker possesses a predominantly blackish upperbody, often subtly barred or spotted with white, contrasting sharply with its diagnostic whitish or buffy underparts heavily streaked and 'freckled' with dark brown ...

Habitat

This adaptable species inhabits a broad spectrum of wooded environments, including broadleaf evergreen and deciduous forests, secondary growth, plantations, and even parks and gardens, typically at elevations below 1,500 meters (5,000 feet).

Diet

Their diet primarily consists of insects, particularly wood-boring larvae, ants, and termites, which they extract from bark and wood; they also consume fruits and berries opportunistically.

Behavior

Freckle-breasted Woodpeckers are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging on tree trunks and branches, and likely roosting in tree cavities at night. They employ typical woodpecker foraging techniques, pecking, gleaning, and probing for insects and larvae, often joining mixed-species feedin...

Range

The Freckle-breasted Woodpecker boasts a broad distribution across Southeast Asia, extending from Myanmar and Thailand eastward through Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and south into Peninsular Malaysia and the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra, Java, and Bali. It is a resident species throughout its...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- The Freckle-breasted Woodpecker's 'freckled' breast pattern is so unique that it's often the first feature birders use for identification in the field. - Unlike some more specialized woodpeckers, this species shows remarkable adaptability, thriving in human-modified landscapes like plantations ...

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