Great Slaty Woodpecker

This species is defined as a rarity. Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page.

Scientific Name: Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Malay Name: Belatuk-Kelabu Besar
Chinese Name: 大灰啄木鸟

Range:
Found from northern Indian subcontinent to south western China, Indochina, the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Palawan and the Greater Sundas

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: mohun, harterti, pulverulentus.

Local Subspecies: pulverulentus

Size: 45-51 cm

Identification:
Unmistakable from its large size, longish neck, dark slaty-grey overall plumage with whitish spots on nape and neck, yellowish-white bill and golden-buff throat. Male has red submoustachial stripe.

Habitat: Broadleaved forest and mangroves.

Behaviour/Ecology: Usually frequents the canopy in small parties. Very noisy and conspicuous.

Local Status: Very rare non-breeding visitor

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2016)

Past accepted records in our database:

Past records, bar chart (see more bar charts):

Photos:

Great Slaty Woodpecker at Central Catchment Forest. Photo credit: Francis Yap.
Great Slaty Woodpecker at Central Catchment Forest. Photo credit: Francis Yap.
Female Great Slaty Woodpecker at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Photo credit: Jerold Tan
Female Great Slaty Woodpecker at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Photo credit: Myron Tay
Female Great Slaty Woodpecker at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Photo credit: Myron Tay
Male Great Slaty Woodpecker at Panti Forest. Photo credit: Con Foley
Great Slaty Woodpeckers at Panti Forest. Photo credit: Con Foley

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Great Slaty Woodpecker)

References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Mulleripicus pulverulentus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Downloaded on 2 September 2021

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

Lim, K. S. (2009). The Avifauna of Singapore. Nature Society (Singapore).

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