Alternative name: Andaman Black Woodpecker
- Dryocopus hodgei
Identification
38cm. A large, black Woodpecker:
- Black plumage
- Prominent pale eye
- Red crest
- Male with red forecrown and red moustache, female only with red crest
Juveniles are duller. Young males lack the red moustache but they have a red forecrown.
Distribution
Endemic to the Andaman Islands, India.
A restricted-range species, still fairly common. However, the conversion of forest into agricultural land is likely to become a serious threat to this species.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.[1]
Considered a subspecies of White-bellied Woodpecker by some authors[2]
Habitat
Moist lowland evergreen forests, mangroves and open areas with big trees.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on ants. Forages mainly on trunks of large trees but also on the ground.
Usually seen in pairs, sometimes in small family groups.
Breeding
Breeding season from January to March. The hole is built 6 - 14m above the ground in a trunk of a dead tree or a large branch. Lays 2 eggs.
Movements
A resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 2002. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 7: Jacamars to Woodpeckers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334375
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Andaman Woodpecker. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Andaman_Woodpecker
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
