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Greater Flameback - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 07:58, 22 April 2017 by Deliatodd-18346 (talk | contribs) (picture size and placement due to edit issues)

Alternative names: Greater Goldenback; Greater Flame-backed Woodpecker

Male
Photo by cskhaw
Malaysia, October 2003
Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus

Identification

Size-33cm
Male: Red Crest
Female : Black Crest with white spots.

Similar Species

From Common Flameback by large size, largely white hindneck with black sides of neck, yellow iris, longer and more robust bill and thin black malar stripes separated by small white patch. Crest more shaggy and less pointed.

Distribution

Indian subcontinent through southeast Asia to Sumatra, parts of Java and Borneo.

Taxonomy

Female
Photo by kaydeegee2010
Sat Tal lake, Nainital, India, November 2010

Luzon Flameback, Yellow-faced Flameback, Red-headed Flameback, Javan Flameback, Buff-spotted Flameback (keeping the old scientific name lucidus) and Crimson-backed Flameback were formerly included in this species.

Subspecies

Four subspecies recognized[1]:

Habitat

Forests.

Behaviour

Ssp. guttacristatus : Male
Photo by Alok Tewari
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh, India, Jan-2015

Frequents the canopy and middle story. Usualy in small noisy groups up to ten, even at nest. Sometimes solitary.

Vocalisation

A distinct series of sharp notes, di-di-di-di-di-di-.. reminiscent of large cicada.
Flight call similar to to Common Flameback.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/

Recommended Citation

External Links


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