Malaysian birds - Buff-rumped Woodpecker

Malaysian Birds

Buff-rumped Woodpecker

Size & diagnostic markings:- 17 cm. The Buff-rumped Woodpecker is small at 17 cm. The bird appears short as it has the combination of a smaller body plus a shorter tail. The red sub-moustachial stripe is not always noticeable Again the female do not have this stripe. So to tell the difference between this Buff-rumped against the Buff-necked would be 1] its small size and 2] the Pale patch on the neck.

Distribution :- This is a bird again of the Sumatra and Borneo island but this time, Java is also one place for home. This is also another easy to spot Woodpecker in Malaysia

Habitats & preferences:- The is also a lowland forest bird, but unlike the Buff-necked Woodpecker, the buff-rumped tends to get into secondary forest and plantation as well. It does crawl onto the trunk but also more times seen foraging among leaves.

The Buff-rumped Woodpecker at 17 cm is a much smaller bird when compared to the 21 cm Buff-necked. First task is to look for that cream patch on the neck. Next, when there pale neck patch is unseen, then the ID of the bird being a Buff-rumped is more or less ascertained. Overall, I would say that Buff-rumped appeared blackish with all its barring. Buff-necked on the other hand has a brownish tone. Perhaps, good to note the head for the Buff-necked Woodpecker is more roundish while that of the Buff-rumped Woodpecker is getting triangular, some resemblances with the Grey & Buff Woodpecker. Like a in-between the Buff-necked and Buff & Grey Woodpeckers.

Then next, look for the red sub-moustachial, those with that red stripe will confirm the Woodpecker is a male. As mentioned earlier, the Woodpecker spends more time foraging among the leaves. They are looking for insect by breaking up nests made by combining leaves. From afar, movements among the leaves could be interpreted as that made by Green Leafbirds.