Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Yungipicus moluccensis

Malay Name: Belatuk-Belacan Kecil Biasa

Chinese Name: 巽他啄木鸟

Range: Found from the Thai-Malay Peninsula to Borneo, Greater and Lesser Sundas

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: moluccensis, grandis.

Local Subspecies: moluccensis

Size: 12.5-13 cm

Identification: Male has brownish crown and ear-covers, well defined submoustachial stripe, red streak on side of hindcrown, white-barred brownish upperside and dark streaked underparts. Female resembles male but lacks the red streak. Juvenile is duller overall and has less distinct streaks.

Habitat: Parks, gardens, mangroves and coastal areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Usually found singly or in pairs, unobtrusive and drums softly.

Local Status: Very common resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Any patch of suitable habitat.

Featured articles:

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker at Pasir Ris Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker at Pasir Ris Park. Photo credit: Keita Sin
Female Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker. Photo Credit: Zahidi Hamid.
Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker at Pasir Ris Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker)

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Picoides moluccensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22681064A92891282.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.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker. Retrieved on June 2, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/sunda-pygmy-woodpecker.