Philippine pygmy woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philippine pygmy woodpecker |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Yungipicus
|
| Species: |
maculatus
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Dendrocopos maculatus |
|
The Philippine pygmy woodpecker (Yungipicus maculatus) is a small, active bird. It belongs to the woodpecker family, Picidae. People in the Kapampangan region of the Philippines call it Anluage. This bird is known for its unique way of finding food by pecking on trees.
Where It Lives
The Philippine pygmy woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker found in the Philippines. Male and female woodpeckers look a little different from each other. There are also different groups, or "races," of this bird.
- Group 1 includes the validirostris, maculatus, and menagei races. These birds have backs that are partly barred with dark brown and white. Their throats are white, often with dark spots or streaks. The rest of their undersides have many black and white streaks.
- Group 2 includes the fulvifasciatus and leytensis races. These woodpeckers have backs with bold black and white bars. Their throats are whitish, and their upper chests have clear black spots. The rest of their undersides have fine streaks or no streaks at all.
- Group 3 has birds with little or no barring on their upper parts. They have a large white patch on their lower back and rump. Males in this group have a full red crest on the back of their neck. Their throats are narrow and white. Their chests are yellow with faint brown streaks, and their bellies are faintly streaked with brown and buff colors.
Its Family Tree
Scientists used to think the Sulu pygmy woodpecker (Y. ramsayi) was the same species as the Philippine pygmy woodpecker. However, they are now considered separate species. These two, along with the Sulawesi pygmy woodpecker (Y. temminckii), are thought to form a "superspecies." This means they are very closely related and likely evolved from a common ancestor. Some experts still place this woodpecker in different groups, like the genus Dendrocopos or Picoides.
Home Sweet Home
This woodpecker is endemic to the Philippines. This means it is found naturally nowhere else in the world. Its favorite places to live are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It also lives in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, which are forests found on mountains. These forests provide the perfect environment for the woodpecker to find food and build its nests.
