Dinopium psarodes
A striking arboreal resident, the Crimson-backed Flameback (Dinopium psarodes) is a large woodpecker endemic to Sri Lanka, renowned for its vivid plumage and energetic presence. Measuring approximately 28-30 cm in length, adult males boast a brilliant crimson back, wings, and rump, contrasting sharply with a unique black throat and an intricately patterned black-and-white head. A prominent scarlet crest, often bordered with black, crowns the male's head, while females exhibit a black forecrow...
This adaptable woodpecker primarily inhabits a variety of forested environments, including dry, wet, and monsoon forests, as well as rubber and coconut plantations and well-wooded gardens, typically from sea level up to elevations of around 1500 meters.
Its diet consists predominantly of insects, particularly ants, termites, and their larvae and pupae, which it extracts from wood, supplemented by beetles and other arthropods, and occasionally fruit or nectar.
The Crimson-backed Flameback is a highly active, diurnal woodpecker, spending its days diligently foraging and typically roosting in excavated tree cavities at night. It employs characteristic woodpecker foraging techniques, hitching its way up tree trunks and along branches, expertly probing bar...
The Crimson-backed Flameback is entirely endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is a resident species found throughout the island's diverse landscapes. Its distribution spans from the coastal lowlands, encompassing both dry and wet zone forests, up into the mid-hill country. While prevalent in suitable h...
Least Concern
- The Crimson-backed Flameback is endemic to the island nation of Sri Lanka, making it a unique avian gem of the region. - Its striking crimson back and unique black throat are key identifiers, distinguishing it from other flameback species found in South Asia. - Both male and female woodpeckers ...