Greater Flameback

Greater Flameback
This species is defined as a Review Species . Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page .

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)

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Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Note that records currently under review are also not displayed, and the list may not be a full list of records of this species in Singapore. For more details, check the database here.

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.

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