- Dendrocopos nanus
Identification
- Brown and white barring on upperparts
- Streaked white underparts
- Spotted white tail
- Pink-rimmed white irises
- Pale brown crown (edged with red in males)
- Pale brown eyestripe
- White supercilium and cheek
Similar Species
A little smaller than a Red-vented Bulbul and bigger than a Purple-rumped Sunbird.
Distribution
Found on the Indian Subcontinent and Sri Lanka.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Three subspecies recognized[1]:
- D.n. nanus in northern and central India
- D.n. cinereigula in southern India
- D.n. gymnopthalmus in Sri Lanka
It was formerly considered conspecific with Sunda Woodpecker.
Habitat
Paddy fields, mangroves, coastal scrub, plantations, parks and gardens, open woodland.
Behaviour
Breeding
Both sexes excavate a hole about 15-30cm long in a dead tree.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Wikipedia
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Brown-capped_Pygmy_Woodpecker