Red-backed flameback

The red-backed flameback, lesser Sri Lanka flameback, Sri Lanka red-backed woodpecker or Ceylon red-backed woodpecker (Dinopium psarodes) is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is endemic to central and southern Sri Lanka. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the black-rumped flameback.[2]

Not to be confused with Crimson-backed flameback.

Red-backed flameback
Adult female
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Dinopium
Species:
D. psarodes
Binomial name
Dinopium psarodes
(Lichtenstein, 1793)
Synonyms

Dinopium benghalense psarodes

Description

Reminiscent of Pileated woodpecker. Has a short bill and black-and-white face stripes. Female has a red crown with the base black with white speckles, while the male's crown is completely red. Can be separated from the Black-rumped Flameback by its red wings and back, while the Black-rumped has golden. its underparts are mostly white with a black mottled pattern. The eyes are positioned inside the black head-stripe and can only be seen up-close. It has a black tail.

Habitat

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

Behaviour

It is often seen on trees, using its tail as support.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2014). "Dinopium psarodes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Fernando, S.P.; Irwin, D.E.; Seneviratne, S.S. (2016). "Phenotypic and genetic analysis support distinct species status of the Red-backed Woodpecker (Lesser Sri Lanka Flameback: Dinopium psarodes) of Sri Lanka". The Auk. 133 (3): 497–511. doi:10.1642/AUK-15-233.1.

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