Red backed woodpecker

The red backed woodpecker is now known as the lesser flameback, or the Black-rumped flameback (Dinopium benghalense psarodes). The first three continuous movie clips were filmed at Kanduboda, Sri Lanka and the remainder at Gampaha Sri Lanka. We see it gleaning for food in coconut estates and other garden trees. Also see my wildlife at the banana clump - this omnivore also takes fruit as well as insects. We also see the bird excavating a nest hole. Being a true woodpecker, it has a powerful hammering action as it excavates hard timber. One sequence here shows the bird, climbing up to the top of a coconut tree. In contrast to Chrysocolaptes, also in the region, this woodpecker has just three toes, two facing forwards, one back. They raise chicks in tree holes such as on coconut trees or mangos. The call is harsh. One of the commonest S. Asian and Sri Lankan woodpeckers. Mynahs, babblers, squirrels and barbets provide background noise.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• hammering woodpecker
• red woodpecker
• lesser flameback
• bright red bird
• S. Asia
• Sri Lanka
• S. India
• Woody woodpecker