Heart-spotted Woodpecker

Overview

The heart-spotted woodpecker is a small bird in the woodpecker family, distinguished by its contrasting black and buff plumage and large, wedge-shaped head. It is a widespread species across Asia, moving about in pairs or small groups and often joining mixed-species foraging flocks.

Identification

• Predominantly black with heart-shaped black spots on white shoulders and broad white scapular patches.
• Buffy white forehead and crown on females, whereas males have a black crown with small white dots.
• Large crest that makes the head appear disproportionately large for the short body and tail.
• Distinct calls including a sharp twee-twee-twee duet, a nasal ki-yeew, and repeated su-sie notes.

Habitat

Found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests across a wide distribution in Asia, including the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. In India, the species inhabits the forests of the Western Ghats and central India, as well as the Himalayan region. Its range extends into Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Diet

Forages mainly for invertebrates under the bark of slender outer branches and has been observed pecking the pods of Cassia fistula to obtain insect larvae. It moves between trees in a sharply bounding flight that gives a head-heavy appearance, often calling frequently while foraging.

Did you know?

This woodpecker possesses lipid-rich 'fat quills' on its back that make feathers stick together in preserved specimens, a feature that may serve as cosmetic colouration and produces a pleasant smell.