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Greater Flameback - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 02:56, 19 June 2019 by Aloktewari (talk | contribs) (Clearer image of female, nominate subspecies)

Alternative names: Greater Goldenback; Greater Flame-backed Woodpecker

Subspecies C. g. indomalayicus : 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

Nominate subspecies : Male
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Sat Tal Forest, Alt. 5500 ft., Nainital, Uttarakhand Himalayas, India, 19 October 2018

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

Nominate subspecies : Female
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Sat Tal Forest, Alt. 5500 ft., Nainital, Uttarakhand Himalayas, India, 19 October 2018

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.
<flashmp3>greater_flameback_call_alok.mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
Recording by Alok Tewari
Sat Tal, Alt 5500 ft., Uttarakhand Himalayas, India, April-2017
Inflight call in late evening. There is initial, brief overlap call by a Great Barbet.

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

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