Great Slaty Woodpecker

The Great Slaty Woodpecker, Mulleripicus pulverulentus, stands as a unique avian giant, the largest of its kind likely to be seen in the wild. With the probable extinction of its larger cousins, the Imperial and Ivory-billed Woodpeckers, this species claims the title of the world's largest extant woodpecker. It is a bird of considerable heft, measuring 48–58 cm in length and weighing between 360–563 grams. Its plumage is a dark, slate-grey, dappled with small white spots, and the males sport a modest red moustache stripe.

Identification Tips

This woodpecker's size and structure make it almost unmistakable. It possesses a very long, strong bill, an elongated neck, and a long tail, which may occasionally display a slight crest. The throat is a paler grey compared to the rest of the body. The Great Slaty Woodpecker can be differentiated from other species by its sheer size and distinctive coloration.

Habitat

The Great Slaty Woodpecker is a denizen of dense, old-growth forests, showing a preference for broadleaf forests. It thrives in primary semi-open, moist deciduous, and tropical evergreen forests, and can sometimes be found in secondary forests and mangroves with tall, mature trees.

Distribution

This species is widespread across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, inhabiting a range of countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Behaviour

The Great Slaty Woodpecker is known for its social foraging behavior, often seen in groups of 3 to 6, which include a breeding pair and their offspring from previous years. These groups travel considerable distances to access feeding sites, indicating large home ranges for the species.

Song & Calls

Despite its size, the Great Slaty Woodpecker has a surprisingly weak and quiet voice. Its call is a whinnying cackle of 2 to 5 notes, with the initial note higher-pitched and the middle note distinctly lower. In more confrontational situations, sharp calls are emitted accompanied by head-swinging.

Breeding

Breeding pairs roost in separate tree holes and maintain contact through vocalizations. The pair bond is lifelong, with displays largely for territorial purposes. Nests are constructed high in large trees, with both parents participating in the excavation. The clutch typically consists of two to four eggs, incubated and cared for by both parents.

Similar Species

At first glance, the Great Slaty Woodpecker may be mistaken for a hornbill due to its size and coloration, but upon closer inspection, the differences are quite clear.

Diet and Feeding

The diet primarily consists of social insects such as ants, termites, and wood-boring beetles, with ants being a particular favorite. Occasionally, small fruits may supplement their diet. The woodpecker forages by gleaning, probing, pecking, and hammering into wood to extract its prey.

Conservation Status

The Great Slaty Woodpecker is currently classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Its population is in decline due to deforestation and the logging of old-growth forests, which are crucial for its feeding and breeding habits. The species is most common in primary forests and experiences significant density reductions in logged forests.