Greater Flameback

The greater flameback, known scientifically as Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus, is a striking woodpecker species. This bird is quite large, measuring 33 cm in length, and is characterized by its typical woodpecker shape, complete with an erect crest and a long neck. Its plumage is variable across subspecies, but it consistently features an unmarked golden-yellow to dark brown back and wings. The rump is a vivid red, while the tail is a stark black. The underparts are either white with dark markings or light brown. The head may be whitish with a black pattern, or exhibit shades of yellow, brown, or red. The bill is straight, pointed, and longer than the head, and the legs are lead-grey, equipped with zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two backward). The eyes are set with whitish to yellow irises.

Identification Tips

The adult male of this species always sports a red crown, while the female's crown color varies among subspecies, ranging from black spotted with white, to yellow, or brown with lighter dots. Juveniles resemble females but are duller and have brown irises.

Habitat

The greater flameback is associated with a variety of relatively open forest habitats, including the foothills of the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, as well as mangrove forests.

Distribution

This woodpecker is widely distributed across the northern Indian subcontinent, extending eastwards to southern China, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, western and central Java, and northeast Borneo.

Behaviour

The greater flameback is adept at using its bill to extract food from trees and employs its zygodactyl feet and stiff tail for support against tree trunks. Its long tongue is used to dart forward and capture wood-boring arthropod prey. While primarily insectivorous, it also consumes nectar. Nesting occurs in tree holes, where three to four white eggs are laid.

Song & Calls

The calls of the greater flameback are distinctive and vary among subspecies, contributing to their identification and understanding of their taxonomy and biogeography.

Conservation Status

The greater flameback is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, being widely distributed and common in certain parts of its range.

Similar Species

The greater flameback can be confused with some three-toed Dinopium flamebacks due to their white-and-black-headed subspecies. However, the greater flameback can be distinguished by its divided dark moustache stripes, white hindneck (except in C. stricklandi), and when seen from behind, a white neck bordered with black on the sides. In contrast, Dinopium species have a black neck and upper back with thin, white borders. The greater flameback is also larger, has a longer bill, and typically has different iris colors compared to the Dinopium species.

Diet and Feeding

Greater flamebacks mainly feed on small invertebrates and occasionally drink nectar. They forage on trees, preferring certain species depending on the habitat, such as tall Avicennia alba in Malaysian mangrove forests.

Evolution

The plumage of the greater flameback shows convergent evolution with other woodpecker species, which is not fully understood but suggests potential undiscovered benefits to the taxa involved.