• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Difference between revisions of "Grey-headed Woodpecker" - BirdForum Opus

Page Discussion
View source History
(Video link. References updated)
(Picture of female. Basic tidy-up. Some extra info. References updated)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
'''Alternative name: Grey-faced Woodpecker'''
+
'''Alternative name: Grey-faced Woodpecker'''<br />
−
[[Image:Grey-faced_Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Pavlik|Pavlik}}<br />Saratov, [[Russia]]]]
+
'''Disambiguation''': The African [[Eastern Grey Woodpecker]] is also sometimes known as Grey-headed Woodpecker.
 +
[[Image:Grey-faced_Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Pavlik|Pavlik}}<br />Saratov, [[Russia]], May 2001]]
 
;[[:Category:Picus|Picus]] canus
 
;[[:Category:Picus|Picus]] canus
−
'''Disambiguation''': The African [[Eastern Grey Woodpecker]] is also sometimes known as Grey-headed Woodpecker.
+
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
−
28–33 cm (11-13 in)
+
28–33 cm (11-13 in)<br />
−
European birds: green wings, tail, and mantle, with the rest mostly grey. Narrow black moustacial stripe, narrow black lores (but not black behind eyes), and eyes are dark. Male has a small red area from the peak of the crown towards the bill, the female has some black stripes in the same area. Northern races are greyer overall with grey crown, southern and eastern races are greener with blacker crown and the isolated races ''P. c. robinsoni'' from Malaya and ''P. c. dedemi'' from Sumatra are small and dark.
+
'''European birds''': green wings, tail, and mantle, with the rest mostly grey. Narrow black moustacial stripe, narrow black lores (but not black behind eyes), and eyes are dark. <br />
 +
'''Male''' has a small red area from the peak of the crown towards the bill, the '''female''' has some black stripes in the same area.<br />
 +
'''Northern races''' are greyer overall with grey crown, southern and eastern races are greener with blacker crown and the isolated races ''P. c. robinsoni'' from [[Malaya]] and ''P. c. dedemi'' from [[Sumatra]] are small and dark.
 +
[[Image:PAS13030901.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female<br />Photo by {{user|crs|crs}}<br />Covasna, [[Romania]], March 2013]]
 +
==Distribution==
 +
Main breeding range lies from [[Europe]] east to Sakhalin, Hokkaido, throughout much of [[China]], the [[Himalayas]] and southeast China south to [[Vietnam]].
  
−
==Distribution==
+
In Europe breeds in southern [[Scandinavia]] and central and eastern Europe south to northern [[Greece]] and eastwards to the Urals. Also has a patchy distribution further west breeding in west and central [[France]], [[Luxembourg]] and central and southern [[Germany]], northern [[Switzerland]], northern [[Italy]] and more widely in [[Austria]].
−
Main breeding range lies from [[Europe]] east to Sakhalin, Hokkaido, throughout much of [[China]], the [[Himalayas]] and southeast China south to [[Vietnam]]. In Europe breeds in southern [[Scandinavia]] and central and eastern Europe south to northern [[Greece]] and eastwards to the Urals. Also has a patchy distribution further west breeding in west and central [[France]], [[Luxembourg]] and central and southern [[Germany]], northern [[Switzerland]], northern [[Italy]] and more widely in [[Austria]]. Recently found to be breeding in northeastern and western [[Turkey]]. In the east of range there are isolated populations in north-east [[India]], on [[Taiwan]] and Hainan, and the mountains of [[Malaysia]] and [[Sumatra]].
+
 
 +
Recently found to be breeding in northeastern and western [[Turkey]]. In the east of range there are isolated populations in north-east [[India]], on [[Taiwan]] and Hainan, and the mountains of [[Malaysia]] and [[Sumatra]].
 
   
 
   
 
Mainly resident but short-distance dispersal common and altitudinal movements recorded. Very rarely seen outside breeding range but has been recorded in the Spanish Pyrenees, the [[Netherlands]] and Turkey, and in March 1992 reported in Circeo National Park, Italy, well south of known Italian range.
 
Mainly resident but short-distance dispersal common and altitudinal movements recorded. Very rarely seen outside breeding range but has been recorded in the Spanish Pyrenees, the [[Netherlands]] and Turkey, and in March 1992 reported in Circeo National Park, Italy, well south of known Italian range.
Line 15: Line 22:
 
11 subspecies are recognised,<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> in three subspecies groups which probably merit species status:<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>
 
11 subspecies are recognised,<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> in three subspecies groups which probably merit species status:<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>
 
*''Picus canus'' group (Grey-headed Woodpecker; northern Eurasia)
 
*''Picus canus'' group (Grey-headed Woodpecker; northern Eurasia)
−
**''P. c. canus'' - northern and central Europe to w Siberia  
+
**''P. c. canus'' - northern and central Europe to western [[Siberia]]
−
**''P. c. jessoensis'' - eastern Siberia to northeastern China, Korea and northern Japan  
+
**''P. c. jessoensis'' - eastern Siberia to north-eastern [[China]], [[Korea]] and northern [[Japan]]
 
*''Picus guerini'' group (Black-naped Woodpecker; eastern Asia)
 
*''Picus guerini'' group (Black-naped Woodpecker; eastern Asia)
 
**''P. c. kogo'' - central China  
 
**''P. c. kogo'' - central China  
 
**''P. c. guerini'' - eastern China  
 
**''P. c. guerini'' - eastern China  
−
**''P. c. sobrinus'' - southeastern China and northeastern Vietnam  
+
**''P. c. sobrinus'' - south-eastern China and north-eastern [[Vietnam]]
−
**''P. c. tancolo'' - Hainan and Taiwan  
+
**''P. c. tancolo'' - Hainan and [[Taiwan]]
−
**''P. c. sordidior'' - southeastern Tibet and southwestern China to northeastern Burma  
+
**''P. c. sordidior'' - south-eastern [[Tibet]] and south-western China to north-eastern [[Burma]]
−
**''P. c. sanguiniceps'' - western Himalaya
+
**''P. c. sanguiniceps'' - western [[Himalayas]]
−
**''P. c. hessei'' - eastern Himalaya to Burma and Indochina  
+
**''P. c. hessei'' - eastern Himalayas to Burma and [[Indochina]]
−
**''P. c. robinsoni'' - western Malaysia  
+
**''P. c. robinsoni'' - western [[Malaysia]]
 
*''Picus dedemi'' (Sumatran Woodpecker; endemic, Sumatra)
 
*''Picus dedemi'' (Sumatran Woodpecker; endemic, Sumatra)
−
**''P. c. dedemi'' - Sumatra  
+
**''P. c. dedemi'' - [[Sumatra]]
  
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
−
Diverse woodlands including coniferous taiga forest, temperate deciduous woodland and subtropical forest, bamboo groves. Where both occur usually found in more upland areas than [[Green Woodpecker]]. In [[Scandinavia]] found in coniferous forest mixed with aspen but in central Europe found in deciduous and riparian forest, small woods in farmland, parks and large gardens. Drums more frequently than Green Woodpecker. Feeds on the ground, usually solitary.  
+
Diverse woodlands including coniferous taiga forest, temperate deciduous woodland and subtropical forest, bamboo groves. Where both occur usually found in more upland areas than [[Green Woodpecker]]. In [[Scandinavia]] found in coniferous forest mixed with aspen but in central Europe found in deciduous and riparian forest, small woods in farmland, parks and large gardens.  
 +
==Behaviour==
 +
====Diet====
 +
Feeds on the ground, usually solitary. Their diet consists mostly of ants.
 +
====Vocalisation====
 +
Drums more frequently than Green Woodpecker.  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#[http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2013/09/grey-faced-woodpecker-picus-canus-is-being-split-list-p-dedemi-as-near-threatened/ Grey-faced Woodpecker (Picus canus) is being split]. BirdLife International.
 
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#[http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2013/09/grey-faced-woodpecker-picus-canus-is-being-split-list-p-dedemi-as-near-threatened/ Grey-faced Woodpecker (Picus canus) is being split]. BirdLife International.
 +
#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved November 2015)
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==

Revision as of 23:20, 7 November 2015

Alternative name: Grey-faced Woodpecker
Disambiguation: The African Eastern Grey Woodpecker is also sometimes known as Grey-headed Woodpecker.

Photo by Pavlik
Saratov, Russia, May 2001
Picus canus

Identification

28–33 cm (11-13 in)
European birds: green wings, tail, and mantle, with the rest mostly grey. Narrow black moustacial stripe, narrow black lores (but not black behind eyes), and eyes are dark.
Male has a small red area from the peak of the crown towards the bill, the female has some black stripes in the same area.
Northern races are greyer overall with grey crown, southern and eastern races are greener with blacker crown and the isolated races P. c. robinsoni from Malaya and P. c. dedemi from Sumatra are small and dark.

Female
Photo by crs
Covasna, Romania, March 2013

Distribution

Main breeding range lies from Europe east to Sakhalin, Hokkaido, throughout much of China, the Himalayas and southeast China south to Vietnam.

In Europe breeds in southern Scandinavia and central and eastern Europe south to northern Greece and eastwards to the Urals. Also has a patchy distribution further west breeding in west and central France, Luxembourg and central and southern Germany, northern Switzerland, northern Italy and more widely in Austria.

Recently found to be breeding in northeastern and western Turkey. In the east of range there are isolated populations in north-east India, on Taiwan and Hainan, and the mountains of Malaysia and Sumatra.

Mainly resident but short-distance dispersal common and altitudinal movements recorded. Very rarely seen outside breeding range but has been recorded in the Spanish Pyrenees, the Netherlands and Turkey, and in March 1992 reported in Circeo National Park, Italy, well south of known Italian range.

Taxonomy

Subspecies

11 subspecies are recognised,[1] in three subspecies groups which probably merit species status:[2]

  • Picus canus group (Grey-headed Woodpecker; northern Eurasia)
    • P. c. canus - northern and central Europe to western Siberia
    • P. c. jessoensis - eastern Siberia to north-eastern China, Korea and northern Japan
  • Picus guerini group (Black-naped Woodpecker; eastern Asia)
    • P. c. kogo - central China
    • P. c. guerini - eastern China
    • P. c. sobrinus - south-eastern China and north-eastern Vietnam
    • P. c. tancolo - Hainan and Taiwan
    • P. c. sordidior - south-eastern Tibet and south-western China to north-eastern Burma
    • P. c. sanguiniceps - western Himalayas
    • P. c. hessei - eastern Himalayas to Burma and Indochina
    • P. c. robinsoni - western Malaysia
  • Picus dedemi (Sumatran Woodpecker; endemic, Sumatra)

Habitat

Diverse woodlands including coniferous taiga forest, temperate deciduous woodland and subtropical forest, bamboo groves. Where both occur usually found in more upland areas than Green Woodpecker. In Scandinavia found in coniferous forest mixed with aspen but in central Europe found in deciduous and riparian forest, small woods in farmland, parks and large gardens.

Behaviour

Diet

Feeds on the ground, usually solitary. Their diet consists mostly of ants.

Vocalisation

Drums more frequently than Green Woodpecker.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Grey-faced Woodpecker (Picus canus) is being split. BirdLife International.
  3. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved November 2015)

Recommended Citation

External Links


Retrieved from ‘https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/index.php?title=Grey-headed_Woodpecker&oldid=214326’
Back
Top