Scientific Name: Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
Malay Name: Belatuk-Pinang Besar Biasa
Chinese Name: 大金背啄木鸟
Range: Resident in northeast Indian subcontinent to southwest China, through Indochina, the Malay Peninsula and western Sumatra. Also found in scattered sites along Borneo, generally along the coast.
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: sultaneus, guttacristatus, indomalayicus, andrewsi.
Local Subspecies: indomalayicus
Size: 30-34 cm
Identification: Both sexes distinguished from the extremely similar Common Flameback by pale instead of dark iris, more pointed crest, bulkier body, as well as white centre (instead of black) on the hind neck.
Similar looking species: Common Flameback
Habitat: The Greater Flameback is generally able to tolerate a wide range of habitat ranging from mature forests, hill forests, to edges and mangroves. The local subspecies indomalayicus can be found in such mature forests in its northern part of its range but is almost primarily associated with mangrove habitats in Peninsular Malaysia.
Behaviour/Ecology: Field encounters of this species are much like the Common Flameback. Interestingly, despite looking and sounding very similar to each other, the Greater and Common Flamebacks are genetically not closely related and belong to different genera.
Local Status: Very rare visitor
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
- Checklist Revision for September 2024 (Checklist Revisions)
Featured reports: Apr 2024
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Greater Flameback)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22726548A94924862.en. Accessed on 29 Apr 2024
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Greater Flameback. Retrieved on December 11, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/greater-flameback.