The Red-winged Green Woodpecker: A Vibrant Bird with a Unique Call

The red-winged green woodpecker (Picus chlorolophus) is a striking bird found in forests and woodlands across Southeast Asia. Its vibrant green plumage, contrasting with its red cap and mustache, makes it a popular subject for birdwatchers and photographers. The species is also known for its loud, distinctive drumming call, which can be heard echoing through the trees.

Description

The red-winged green woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring around 30 cm (12 inches) in length. Its upperparts are a bright green, while its underparts are a paler yellowish-green. The male has a red crown, nape, and mustache stripe, while the female has a black mustache stripe. Both sexes have a yellow rump.

Distribution and habitat

The red-winged green woodpecker is found in a variety of forest habitats, including evergreen forests, deciduous forests, and bamboo forests. It is most common in lowland areas, but can also be found in the foothills of mountains. The species is distributed from India and Nepal through Southeast Asia to southern China.

Diet

The red-winged green woodpecker is an insectivore, meaning that its diet consists mainly of insects. It forages for insects on the ground and on trees, using its long, strong beak to probe bark and crevices. The species also eats a variety of other small invertebrates, such as spiders and snails.

Behavior

The red-winged green woodpecker is a solitary bird, but it may occasionally be seen in pairs or small groups. It is an active bird, and is often seen hopping around trees or flying from one tree to another. The species is known for its loud, drumming call, which it uses to communicate with other woodpeckers and to defend its territory.

Reproduction

The red-winged green woodpecker is a cavity nester. It excavates a hole in a tree, and both sexes take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the young. The clutch size is typically 2-4 eggs, and the incubation period is around 12 days. The young birds fledge after about 20 days.

Conservation status

The red-winged green woodpecker is a common species and is not considered to be threatened. However, it is important to protect its forest habitat from deforestation and other threats.