Yellow-crowned Woodpecker

Overview

The yellow-crowned woodpecker, also known as the Mahratta woodpecker, is a species of small pied woodpecker found in the Indian subcontinent. It is the only species placed in the genus Leiopicus. The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Upper-parts are black, heavily spotted and barred white, with underparts that are dark and streaked dingy white featuring a red belly patch.
• The bird is medium-small, measuring 17.5 cm in length and weighing between 28 and 46 grams.
• Females possess a yellowish crown and nape, whereas males have a scarlet nape and a yellow fore-crown.
• Irregular brown patches are present on the cheek and neck.

Habitat

The species is found throughout the Indian subcontinent. The specific epithet mahrattensis is derived from Marhatta, a historical region in the modern Indian state of Maharashtra.

Did you know?

The genus name Leiopicus is a combination of the Classical Greek words leios, meaning "smooth" or "beardless", and pikos, meaning "woodpecker".