Crimson-breasted Woodpecker? central Bhutan (1 Viewer)

[Tom Tarrant]

Saw this woodpecker near Trongsa, Bhutan in mid-May 2019, it responded to a Crimson-breasted WP call, the other two (2 and 3) are of another CB WP taken less than 100 kms away in Yongkhola last year. This years one (1 and 4) has much heavier-streaking on the breast and less red on the head.

Is it the same species or a different ssp?

 

[Andy Adcock]

1 I'd say is a juvenile, the red on top of the head is a feature that is common to a few juvenile 'pied' Woodpeckers.

2 and 3 are clearly males and 4 looks to be another immature based on the red on top of the head.

 

[Tom Tarrant]

Thanks Andy, we don't get too many 'Woodies' in Oz, but several of us on the tour questioned it's taxa. I'm not sure if we brought up it's 'age'...
Tom

 

[andyb39]

1 & 4 look almost like a different species.

 

[Andy Adcock]

1 & 4 look almost like a different species.

Face and head pattern suggests the same Andy.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Face and head pattern suggests the same Andy.

Yes, presumably a juvenile male described by Rasmussen (2005) as having an all-red crown behind black forehead bar. I could find no images in support.

Note also that HBW has split Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, now recognising two species, though not followed by IOC.

https://www.hbw.com/species/scarlet-breasted-woodpecker-dryobates-cathpharius

https://www.hbw.com/species/crimson-breasted-woodpecker-dryobates-pernyii

Grahame

 

[andyb39]

I couldn't find any images either.