Malaysian Birds 

Crimson-winged Woodpecker

Size & diagnostic markings:- 27 cm. The Crimson-winged at 27 cm is larger when compared with the Banded Woodpecker. Obvious would be the Olive green on its upper part and the yellow nuchal crest. More distinctive would be the red sub-moustachial stripe appearing on the male. Then the red wings patch over the greenish body that helps to brings out the green. Notice the pale grayish-blue eye ring which is also diagnostic for this bird. Distribution :-  Again this is another Woodpecker from the Greater Sundas. In Malaysian forest this is the most often seen Woodpecker. The Common Flameback has that position in rural forest edge and public park. Habitats & preferences:- This is a bird of the lowland forest edge as well as secondary forest. Commonly seen and the second most commonly seen Woodpeckers after the Common Flameback. This true to the term forest edge irrespective of terrains i.e. in the lowlands and well as in the mountain. Example the bird was seen in the plantation outside a kampong and then along the forested road in Rengit. This time a stretch of road without houses and primary forest.  Some of the pictures included in this page were taken at the Old Pump House Road, a sub-montane area. Also in the same area, the Banded was spotted. In most other places, I have seen the bird moving in pairs. They moved  at the lower as well as middle storey. This is not a shy bird and would carry on its activity even when it was under observation. In making out the differences between the Banded and Crimson-winged, I could see that photographs are better guides when compared to drawings. Straight away, the points mentioned about the subtle differences makes sense. The difference are so obvious and not subtle. It is a matter of getting used to recognizing the diagnostic markings.. As mentioned in the notes for the Banded Woodpecker, the wings on the Crimson-wings may sometimes makes the Woodpecker appear red. In actual fact, looking at the pictures, notice that brightly red shaded portion which may be a main feature is less imposing on the overall olive green color of the bird. In the case of the Banded Woodpecker, the dark red wings blended in well with the maroon-brownish speckles on the back. Of course, the clearest  diagnostic marking is the red sub-moustachial stripe. This is so important but not helpful as the feature only appears on the male and with the bird moving about swiftly, hard to pick up unless done with after a picture was taken and studied.

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   1

Crimson-winged Woodpecker  2

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   3

Crimson-winged Woodpecker  4

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   5

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   6

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   7

Crimson-winged Woodpecker  8

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   9

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   10

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   11

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   12

Crimson-winged Woodpecker  13

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   14

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   15

Crimson-winged Woodpecker   16

 

In Malaysia, where can the bird be found:- In forest edge like along the Rengit Road and in Kampongs. In fact once leaving populated areas, this birds could be detected by its call and sound of pecking. Rather often and easy to spot due to its large size and behavior of not having a need to avoid human..

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With Will would Wander