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.
- Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)
- Bird Calls of Singapore (Birders' Stories)
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
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker. Retrieved on July 18, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/sunda-pygmy-woodpecker.