Banded woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banded woodpecker |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chrysophlegma
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| Species: |
miniaceum
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| Synonyms | |
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Picus mineaceus |
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The banded woodpecker (Chrysophlegma miniaceum) is a colorful bird found in Southeast Asia. It is sometimes called the banded red woodpecker. This bird is part of the Picidae family, which includes all woodpeckers. You can find it in countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. It loves living in warm, wet forests, especially those near the coast.
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What Does the Banded Woodpecker Look Like?
The banded woodpecker is about 26 cm (10 in) long. Its upper body is mostly a reddish-brown color. Its back is a dull olive color with some buff scales. The bird's rump, which is above its tail, is yellow. Its tail is a deep chocolate-brown.
Head and Body Colors
The head of this woodpecker is mostly reddish-brown. It has a shaggy, yellowish patch on the back of its neck. The chin, neck, and throat are reddish-brown too. Its chest is reddish with olive stripes. The belly is whitish with many brownish-black stripes.
Differences Between Males and Females
Male and female banded woodpeckers look a bit different. The male has a redder face and throat. The female's face and throat are browner. They also have small white flecks. Both male and female birds have a dark beak. Their eyes are chestnut-colored with a bluish ring around them. Their legs are greenish.
Where Do Banded Woodpeckers Live?
This bird is native to tropical southeastern Asia. Its home range stretches from southern Myanmar. It goes through the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. You can also find it as far as Java.
Preferred Homes
The banded woodpecker does not migrate. It stays in the same area all year. It mostly lives in lowland areas. Its favorite home is a primary rainforest. These forests have lots of vines and epiphytes. They also have tangled shrubs and fallen trees. However, this bird can also live in other places. It can be found in secondary forests and plantations. Sometimes, it lives in coastal scrub, mangroves, and even parks. You might spot it in wooded suburbs and overgrown gardens too.
What Do Banded Woodpeckers Eat?
Banded woodpeckers usually feed alone or in pairs. They are quite quiet when they look for food. They search among vines and thick plants. They also look higher up in the tree canopy. They poke into cracks, moss, and plants that grow on other plants.
Favorite Foods
Their main diet includes ants. They also eat ant eggs and larvae. They enjoy other small invertebrates as well.
When Do They Have Babies?
Banded woodpeckers breed at different times of the year. This depends on where they live. In the Malay Peninsula, they have been seen nesting in January. Baby birds are usually present between February and August.
Are Banded Woodpeckers Safe?
The banded woodpecker lives across a very wide area. It is common in some places. In other areas, it is less common. Scientists have not counted the exact number of these birds. However, they believe the population is steady. This is partly because the bird can live in places changed by humans. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has checked its status. They say it is a "least concern" species. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
