Black-rumped Flameback

Overview

The black-rumped flameback, also known as the lesser golden-backed woodpecker, is a large woodpecker widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent. It is notable for being one of the few woodpecker species commonly observed in urban environments and is the only golden-backed woodpecker in the region with both a black throat and a black rump.

Identification

• Length 26–29 cm with a typical woodpecker shape, featuring distinctive golden-yellow wing coverts.
• White underparts marked with dark chevrons, contrasted by a black rump and a black throat with fine white markings.
• White head with a black nape and greyish eye patch; adult males have a red crown and crest, while females have a black forecrown spotted with white and red only on the rear crest.
• Produces a characteristic rattling-whinnying call and exhibits undulating flight.

Habitat

Found mainly on plains up to 1,200 m elevation across Pakistan, India south of the Himalayas, eastern parts up to the western Assam valley and Meghalaya, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The species is associated with open forests and cultivation, often utilizing urban areas with wooded avenues and human-modified habitats, though it is rare in the Kutch and desert regions of Rajasthan.

Diet

Feeds primarily on insects, including beetle larvae extracted from under bark and food found in termite mounds, and occasionally consumes nectar. Foraging occurs from the ground to the canopy, where the bird uses hopping movements around branches to conceal itself from predators. In modified habitats, it also exploits artificial constructions, fallen fruits, and food scraps.

Did you know?

The species has a straight pointed bill and a stiff tail used for support against tree trunks, complemented by zygodactyl feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward. Its long tongue is capable of darting forward to capture insects.