Rufous Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Micropternus brachyurus
Malay Name: Belatuk Biji Nangka
Chinese Name: 栗啄木鸟

Range:
Found from the Indian subcontinent to southern China, Mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sunda Islands

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: jerdonii, humei, phaioceps, annamensis, fokiensis, holroydi, williamsoni, badius, brachyurus, badiosus.

Local Subspecies: badius

Size: 25 cm

Identification:
Male has rich rufous overall plumage with blackish bars on upperside and belly, speckled throat and small red cheek-patch. Female resembles male but lacks the red cheek-patch.

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

Behaviour/Ecology:

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Bidadari, Lorong Halus, Tampines Eco Green, Pulau Ubin, Jurong Eco Garden and any patch of suitable habitat.

Featured articles:

Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: Goh Cheng Teng
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: Goh Cheng Teng
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: Adrian Silas Tay
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: Rey Aguila
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: Rey Aguila
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: Goh Cheng Teng
Male Rufous Woodpecker at Mount Faber. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: Goh Cheng Teng
Rufous Woodpecker at Lorong Halus. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo Credit: Lawrence Cher
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: KC Ling
Rufous Woodpecker. Photo credit: Rey Aguila
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Rufous Woodpecker)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Micropternus brachyurus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22681314A92901215.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.