Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker

Overview

The Sunda pygmy woodpecker (Yungipicus moluccensis), also known as the Sunda woodpecker, is a small bird species in the family Picidae. Originally described as originating from the Maluku Islands, its type locality was later corrected to the state of Malacca in Malaysia.

Identification

• A small bird with an overall length of approximately 13 cm.
• Features a greyish brown capped head with a reddish orange crown in males, which is absent in females.
• Displays dark brown ear covers with two broad whitish grey bands narrowing towards the neck.
• Upper parts are greyish brown with white wings that appear striped due to white tips, and a short blackish tail with white bands.

Habitat

Found across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, this species inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, and moist montane forests. It is a common visitor to urban areas and forests in Singapore.

Did you know?

The species was originally described based on a specimen from the Maluku Islands, but this was an error that has been corrected to indicate the state of Malacca in Malaysia as the true locality.