Size & diagnostic markings:- 50 cm. This bird has the size of an Eagle at 50 cm long. Very slim accentuated by the long neck. The bird is almost grey and our own Malaysian species has even darker shade. Highlighting the pale colored buff throat, red sub-moustachial strip. The other feature would be the speckled forehead and neck .

Distribution :-  Bird of the north-eastern India which also South western China and the Greater Sundas. This bird is also resident in Malaysia. understanding the size and requirement of this large bird, it is now confined to areas of pristine forest.

Habitats & preferences:- This is a lowland bird which requires deep forest with gigantic trees. Such environment are harder to find as most large and tall timber trees of good commercial value are heavily sort after.

From the smallest Woodpecker, I have listed the largest of them all - the Great Slaty Woodpecker. At 50 cm, this is indeed a large bird. If the bird is present in the area, the calls is heard and easy to trace its whereabouts. As it is high up the bird don't feel threatened. and would not make any hasty get away.

So far only the area of Rengit still have that type of habitat and so were the pictures on this page taken. Its presence is detected by the extremely loud drumming sound plus its familiar calls.

In Malaysia, where can the bird be found:- The last place that I know of, was Rengit. It is still being seen but less often. My last encounter was the Agriculture Park in Shah Alam and Merapoh, of course.

With Will would Wander