Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense) - Part Two

Golden-backed Woodpecker (D. b.  puncticolle ) In Mannar,Sri Lanka

Identification

The Black-rumped Flameback is a large species at 26–29 cm in length. It has a typical woodpecker shape, and the golden yellow wing coverts are distinctive. The rump is black and not red as in the Greater Flameback. The underparts are white with dark chevron markings. The black throat finely marked with white immediately separates it from other golden backed woodpeckers in the Indian region. The head is whitish with a black nape and throat, and there is a greyish eye patch. Unlike the Greater Flameback it has no dark moustachial stripes.

The adult male has a red crown and crest. Females have a black forecrown spotted with white, with red only on the rear crest. Young birds are like the female, but duller

Distribution

Sri Lanka; India, western Myanmar.

Taxonomy

There are 4 subspecies.

1. D. b. benghalense from northern India to Assam and south-western Burma
2. D. b. dilutum in Pakistan
3. D. b. puncticolle in central and southern India; northern province of Sri Lanka ( Golden-backed Woodpecker )
4. D. b. psarodes in central and southern Sri Lanka ( Red-backed Woodpecker )

Habitat

Open forest and cultivation.

Behaviour

This species is normally seen in pairs or small parties and sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks. They forage from the ground to the canopy. They feed on insects mainly beetle larvae from under the bark, visit termite mounds and sometimes feed on nectar. As they make hopping movements around branches, they often conceal themselves from potential predators. They adapt well in human-modified habitats making use of artificial constructions fallen fruits and even food scraps.

The breeding season varies with weather and is between February and July. They frequently drum during the breeding season. The nest hole is usually excavated by the birds and has a horizontal entrance and descends into a cavity. Sometimes birds may usurp the nest holes of other birds. Nests have also been noted in mud embankments. The eggs are laid inside the unlined cavity. The normal clutch is three and the eggs are elongate and glossy white. The eggs hatch after about 11 days of incubation. The chicks leave the nest after about 20 days.

See Also 

• Black-rumped Flameback - Part One

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense) - Part One

Red-backed Woodpecker (D. b. psarodes) In knuckles Mountain Range, Matale

Identification

The Black-rumped Flameback is a large species at 26–29 cm in length. It has a typical woodpecker shape, and the golden yellow wing coverts are distinctive. The rump is black and not red as in the Greater Flameback. The underparts are white with dark chevron markings. The black throat finely marked with white immediately separates it from other golden backed woodpeckers in the Indian region. The head is whitish with a black nape and throat, and there is a greyish eye patch. Unlike the Greater Flameback it has no dark moustachial stripes.

The adult male has a red crown and crest. Females have a black forecrown spotted with white, with red only on the rear crest. Young birds are like the female, but duller

Distribution

Sri Lanka; India, western Myanmar.

Taxonomy

There are 4 subspecies.

1. D. b. benghalense from northern India to Assam and south-western Burma
2. D. b. dilutum in Pakistan
3. D. b. puncticolle in central and southern India; northern province of Sri Lanka ( Golden-backed Woodpecker )
4. D. b. psarodes in central and southern Sri Lanka ( Red-backed Woodpecker )

Habitat

Open forest and cultivation.

Behaviour

This species is normally seen in pairs or small parties and sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks. They forage from the ground to the canopy. They feed on insects mainly beetle larvae from under the bark, visit termite mounds and sometimes feed on nectar. As they make hopping movements around branches, they often conceal themselves from potential predators. They adapt well in human-modified habitats making use of artificial constructions fallen fruits and even food scraps.

The breeding season varies with weather and is between February and July. They frequently drum during the breeding season. The nest hole is usually excavated by the birds and has a horizontal entrance and descends into a cavity. Sometimes birds may usurp the nest holes of other birds. Nests have also been noted in mud embankments. The eggs are laid inside the unlined cavity. The normal clutch is three and the eggs are elongate and glossy white. The eggs hatch after about 11 days of incubation. The chicks leave the nest after about 20 days.

See Also

• Black-rumped Flameback - Part Two

Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi)

Identification

This Flameback is about 11.5 ; tail 3.5 ; wing 5.9 ; tarsus 1.1; bill from gape 1.9. Back, scapulars, and outer surface of wings, except primary-coverts and outer webs of primaries, dull crimson, edges of feathers brighter, rump also brighter. In all other respects this species resembles C. guttacristatus except that there is everywhere more black and less white, there are only white spots on the back of the neck, and the sides of the head above the malar region and of the neck are almost all black, the superciliary stripe being represented by a row of white spots. The black borders of the breast-feathers are very broad. Sexual distinctions as in C. guttacristatus. Bill brownish or olivaceous at the base, greenish white in the middle, the tip dusky; iris yellowish white; legs and feet greenish' slate.

Distribution

Endemic to Sri Lanka.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
Has been considered conspecific with Greater Flameback in the past.

Habitat

This Woodpecker is found in forests almost throughout the island, on both hills and lowlands Forest and well wooded areas up to 2100m.

Behaviour

This species haunting a nest-hole high up a large tree in January in such a manner as to indicate that they had young.

Gallery

Nest Of Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi)

Green-billed Coucal (Centropus chlororhynchos)

Identification

It looks rather like the much commoner Greater Coucal from which it may at once be distinguished by its leg, like-green beak; its wings, too, are much darker chestnut, and the sheen on the head and neck is purple, not blue. Sexes alike.

Distribution

Endemic. Found locally in wet zone of south-western Sri Lanka, especially in Sinharaja Rain Forrest.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

The scientific name is sometimes spelled chlororhynchus.

Habitat

This coucal is found only in the forests of the wet zone, west, south-west and south of the main mountain massif, which it ascends to 2,500 feet, or perhaps higher.

Behaviour

A very shy and elusive bird, it is far better known by its calls than by sight but, wherever the wet-zone forests have been spared the axe, it is still fairly common; its range, however, is rapidly dwindling and as it shows no sign of being able to adjust itself to new conditions, there can be no doubt that its days will soon be numbered - with those of several ither endemic forest birds - unless wise foresight reserves extensive forest sanctuaries in the wet zone.

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

Identification

28-32 cm. Pale brown back, wings and tail, heavily spotted with buff, blackish flight feathers bordered on the inner edge with pale grey. Pink head and underparts, pale grey on face and lower belly, black neck patch finely spotted with white. The legs are red. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults often lacking the patchy neckband when very immature. The call is a low and gentle coo-coo-croo, with the emphasis on last note.

Distribution

Southern Asia from Nepal, India and Sri Lanka east to south China and Southeast Asia. It has been introduced to parts of the United States and Australia.

Taxonomy

Three subspecies are recognized

• S. c. suratensis
• S. c. chinensis
• S. c. tigrina

Sometimes placed in genus Spilopelia.

Habitat

Open woodland, farmland and habitation.

Behaviour

They are fairly terrestrial, foraging on the ground in grasslands and cultivation. It breeds all year round with stick nests commonly found in trees, edge of buildings or on the ground. 2 white, glossy eggs are laid.The diet includes grass seeds, grains and other vegetation.

Gallery