Common Flameback

Common Flameback

Scientific Name: Dinopium javanense

Malay Name: Belatuk-Pinang Biasa

Chinese Name: 金背三趾啄木鸟

Range: Found from the Indian subcontinent to southern China and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: malabaricum, intermedium, javanense, exsul, borneonense, raveni.

Local Subspecies: javanense

Size: 28-30 cm

Identification: Male has mostly golden upperparts, crimson rump, reddish crown with pointed crest, blackish hindneck, eye-stripe and submoustachial stripe and scaled underparts that are dense at the breast and gradually grow more disparate towards the vent. Female resembles male but has white-streaked blackish crown. Juvenile has blacker breast with less scaling on lower belly.

Similar looking species: Greater Flameback

Habitat: Forest edge, secondary growth, gardens, parks, mangroves and wooded areas.

Behaviour/Ecology:

Local Status: Very common resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Any patch of suitable habitat like Singapore Botanic Gardens, Sungei Buloh, Bidadari, Lorong Halus, Pasir Ris Park, Pulau Ubin, etc.

References:

BirdLife International. (2017). Dinopium javanense. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22727182A118587434.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

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