Greater flameback

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Greater flameback
Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus, Kaeng Krachan.jpg
Male in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Chrysocolaptes
Species:
C. guttacristatus
Binomial name
Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
(Tickell, 1833)

The greater flameback (Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus) also known as greater goldenback, large golden-backed woodpecker is a woodpecker species. It occurs widely in the northern Indian subcontinent, eastwards to southern China, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, western and central Java and northeast Borneo.

Contents

Taxonomy

It has been suggested to split the greater flameback into the following species: [2] [3]

Description

Female in Jim Corbett National Park Greater Flameback - Corbett NP 1618 (16384505296).jpg
Female in Jim Corbett National Park

The greater flameback is a large woodpecker, at 33 cm in length. It is of typical woodpecker shape, and has an erect crest and a long neck. Coloration is highly variable between subspecies; it always has unmarked golden-yellow to dark brown back and wings. The rump is red and the tail is black. The underparts are white with dark markings (chevrons, stripes, or bands), or light brown. The head is whitish with a black pattern, or it is yellow, brown, or red. The straight-pointed bill is longer than the head, and the legs have four-toed zygodactyl feet (two toes pointing forward, two backward) and are lead-grey in color. The eyes' irises are whitish to yellow. [4] [5]

The adult male greater flameback always has a red crown. Females have a crown color varying between subspecies, such as black spotted with white, yellow, or brown with lighter dots. Young birds are like the females, but duller, with brown irises. [4]

Similar species

White-and-black-headed greater flameback subspecies resemble some of the three-toed Dinopium flamebacks, but are not particularly closely related. Unlike the black-rumped flameback (D. benghalense) and the common flameback (D. javanense), the greater flameback's dark moustache stripes are divided by white (making them inconspicuous at a distance); except in C. stricklandi, their hindneck is white (not black), and even in the Sri Lankan birds, the dark colour does not extend to between the shoulders as it does in Dinopium; consequently, when seen from behind, the black-and-white-headed greater flamebacks outside Sri Lanka show a white neck bordered with black on the sides, while the Dinopium species have a black neck and upper back, with thin, white borders to the neck. Those flamebacks are also smaller (though this is only reliable in direct comparison), have a bill that is shorter than the head, and dark irises. [4] [5]

Behaviour and ecology

Calls of C. l. socialis, recorded in Wayanad district, Kerala

This flameback is a species associated with a diversity of rather open forest habitat, such as found in the foothills of the Himalayas or in the Western Ghats; it also inhabits mangrove forest. It seems to be well-adapted to particular forest types, while the similar-looking common flameback (Dinopium javanense) is more of a generalist; thus, depending on what forests predominate in a region, C. lucidus may be more (e.g. in Thailand) or less common (e.g. in peninsular Malaysia) than D. javanense. In Malaysian mangrove forest, for example, the greater flameback has been found to prefer tall Avicennia alba for foraging, while the common flameback rather indiscriminately uses that species, as well as Bruguiera parviflora and Sonneratia alba . [4] [5]

Like other woodpeckers, the greater flameback uses its bill to dig out food from trees, and its zygodactyl feet and stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks. The long tongue can be darted forward to extract wood-boring arthropod prey; while mainly feeding on small invertebrates, greater flamebacks also drink nectar. They nest in tree holes, laying three or four white eggs. [5]

Conservation

Widely distributed and common in parts of its range, the greater flameback is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List. [1]

Evolution

Convergent evolution in plumage between a larger and a smaller species is found among other woodpeckers, such as the North American downy woodpecker ("Picoides" pubescens) and hairy woodpecker ("P." villosus), the tropical American smoky-brown woodpecker ("P." fumigatus) and certain Veniliornis species, or the striped woodpecker (V. lignarius) and checkered woodpecker (V. mixtus), and some South American Piculus and "Picoides". In all of these cases, these birds are neither gregarious nor known to be bad-tasting, and due to their size difference and habitat preferences, do not compete much; hence the usual reasons for mimicry do not seem to apply. While the similar plumage may be due to sheer chance, perhaps as an atavism of plesiomorphic pattern, the facts that such cases are commonplace in the Picinae and that the species involved are usually sympatric suggests that some as yet undiscovered may benefit either some or all of the taxa involved. [6] [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picinae</span> Subfamily of birds

Picinae containing the true woodpeckers is one of three subfamilies that make up the woodpecker family Picidae. True woodpeckers are found over much of the world, but do not occur in Madagascar or Australasia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hairy woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The hairy woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker that is found over a large area of North America. It is approximately 250 mm (9.8 in) in length with a 380 mm (15 in) wingspan. With an estimated population in 2020 of almost nine million individuals, the hairy woodpecker is listed by the IUCN as a species of least concern. Some nomenclature authorities, such as the eBird/Clements checklist, place this species in the genus Dryobates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flameback</span> Woodpecker

The flamebacks or goldenbacks are large woodpeckers which are resident breeders in tropical southern Asia. They derive their English names from their golden or crimson backs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-rumped flameback</span> Species of bird

The black-rumped flameback, also known as the lesser golden-backed woodpecker or lesser goldenback, is a woodpecker found widely distributed in the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the few woodpeckers that are seen in urban areas. It has a characteristic rattling-whinnying call and an undulating flight. It is the only golden-backed woodpecker with a black throat and a black rump.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-naped woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The white-naped woodpecker is woodpecker which is a widespread but a scarce breeder in the Indian Subcontinent. It is associated with open forest and scrub with some trees. It nests in a tree hole, laying one or two white eggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pompadour green pigeon</span> Species of bird

The pompadour green pigeon is a pigeon species complex. It is widespread in forests of southern and southeast Asia. Many authorities have split the pompadour green pigeon into multiple species, which are listed below:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Striped woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The striped woodpecker is a woodpecker found in southwestern South America. It occurs northwest- and southwestwards of the range of its sister taxon, the checkered woodpecker, in the Cordillera Patagonica and its foothills, and in another population in the Andes of Bolivia and the adjacent foothills. As the latter is isolated and differs in numerous respects, it is being considered to separate it as V. (lignarius) puncticeps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common flameback</span> Species of bird in the Picidae family

The common flameback, also referred to as the common goldenback, is a small (28–30 cm), three-toed woodpecker in the family Picidae, found throughout South and Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himalayan flameback</span> Species of bird

The Himalayan flameback, also known as the Himalayan goldenback, is a species of bird in the family Picidae. At the moment very little is known of this species and more fieldwork is required. The Himalayan flameback is not threatened but it is suspected that deforestation could severely affect the species population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crimson-backed flameback</span> Species of bird

The crimson-backed flameback or greater Sri Lanka flameback is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae that is endemic to Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spot-throated flameback</span> Species of bird

The spot-throated flameback is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is endemic to the Philippines only being found in the province of Palawan in the islands of Balabac, Busuanga and Calamian and mainland Palawan.. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the common flameback.It is found in moist lowland forests including primary, secondary and even plantations and clearings provided there are still standing trees. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javan flameback</span> Species of bird

The Javan flameback is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found on Java, Bali and Kangean Islands. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the greater flameback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luzon flameback</span> Species of bird

The Luzon flameback is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found on the northern islands of Luzon, Polillo, Catanduanes and Marinduque, Philippines. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the greater flameback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-faced flameback</span> Species of bird

The yellow-faced flameback is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found on the Philippine islands of Negros and Panay. It is extinct on Guimaras, Masbate, and Ticao (extinct). It is one of the most spectacular woodpeckers with its bright yellow head and crimson red back. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the greater flameback. It is found in moist lowland forests including primary, secondary and even plantations and clearings provided there are still standing trees. It is the rarest woodpecker in the country and it is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-headed flameback</span> Species of bird

The red-headed flameback is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is endemic to the Philippines only being found in the region of Palawan in the islands of Balabac, mainland Palawan, Busuanga and Calamian. It is one of the most spectacular flamebacks with its bright red head and yellow-green back. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the greater flameback. It is found in moist lowland forests including primary, secondary and even plantations and clearings provided there are still standing trees. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-backed flameback</span> Species of bird

The Red-backed flameback, Lesser Sri Lanka flameback, Sri Lanka red-backed woodpecker or Ceylon red-backed woodpecker is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka, only absent in the far-north. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Black-rumped flameback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malabar flameback</span> Species of bird

The Malabar flameback is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats of India.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2016). "Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22726548A94924862. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22726548A94924862.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Collar, N.J. (2011). "Species limits in some Philippine birds including the Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus". Forktail. 27: 29–38.
  3. Abhirami, C.; Niranjana, C.; Praveen, J. (2021). "An analysis of Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus vocalisations and their taxonomic and biogeographic implications" (PDF). Indian Birds. 17 (5): 129–134.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Noske, R.A. (1991). "Field identification and ecology of the Greater Goldenback Chrysocolaptes lucidus in Malaysia" (PDF). Forktail. 6: 72–74. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Grimmett, R.; Inskipp, C.; Inskipp, T. & Byers, C. (1999). Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. ISBN   0-691-04910-6.
  6. Weibel, A.C. & Moore, W.S. (2005). "Plumage convergence in Picoides woodpeckers based on a molecular phylogeny, with emphasis on convergence in downy and hairy woodpeckers". Condor . 107 (4): 797–809. doi:10.1650/7858.1. S2CID   14850891.
  7. Moore, W.S.; Weibel, A.C. & Agius, A. (2006). "Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of the woodpecker genus Veniliornis (Picidae, Picinae) and related genera implies convergent evolution of plumage patterns" (PDF). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 87 (4): 611–624. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2006.00586.x. S2CID   36567740.

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