Brown-fronted Woodpecker

Overview

The Dendrocoptes auriceps is a medium-sized woodpecker belonging to the family Picidae. It is currently classified as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Medium-sized, pied woodpecker with white-barred black plumage rather than spots.
• Prominent black moustache extending to the breast and black-streaked white underparts.
• Deep pink vent.
• Males possess a forecrown that is brown, centre yellow, rear red with a black rear neck, while females have a wholly yellow crown.

Habitat

This species ranges across the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, primarily inhabiting the lower-to-middle altitudes of the Himalayas. Its distribution includes Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bhutan. Natural habitats consist of temperate forests as well as subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.