White-bellied Woodpecker male with friend

The White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis is loud and unmistakable.   For now it is still fairly common in lowland and mangrove forests.   With its preference for foraging on dead trees, reduction of habitat with corresponding decline in food sources and suitable nesting holes must surely be a problem for this species.  Usually in pairs or family parties.

Due the ambiguous status of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (S.E. United States), the Great Slaty Mulleripicus pulverulentus lays claim to the title of the world’s largest woodpecker.   Usually in pairs or family groups, this bird forages in the upper canopy of lowland primary forest and at times in riverine forest.  When in flight or moving around tree branches, it utters a loud and bubbly call.  Found in S.E. Asia to eastern Himalayas.

It just occured to me that I don’t have a picture of a woodpecker on this site.  Being a great fan of this family of birds, I guess that just won’t do.  So here is a Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopus moluccensis which I took a while back.   The smaller woodpeckers have such wonderful vocalisation and this one is no exception.  And it also matches its rapid notes with an incredible workrate when foraging.