Size & diagnostic markings:- 30 cm. First, the bird has golden color wings. Existing a couple minor details, otherwise this Greater Flameback is almost identical to the Common Flameback. Details of the differences, first the steak pattern on breast and back mentioned,  second lies in the black lores across the face. That's all. Similar, the male has a red crest while the female has a black crest. Not easy to describe but the pictures should help in understanding.

Distribution :-  Native to places in the Indian sub-continent to south-west China and then down to the Greater Sundas and the Philippines. In Malaysia, this is a common bird in the mangrove forest

Habitats & preferences:- As mentioned this bird is exclusively staying in the mangrove forest.

This is a huge Woodpecker at 30 cm. The problem in identifying this Greater Flameback lies in the fact that it has all the similarities with the common Flameback. Being a larger bird don't help. The sub species we see in Malaysia is smaller than those seen elsewhere e.g Thailand. The normal species there measures 32cm. In that case, size helps as the bird is noticeably larger than the Common Flameback.  In the case of Kuala Selangor nature Park, the mangrove forest is side by side with a secondary forest and the forest edge is the habitat for the Common Flameback. Both Woodpeckers can be found in the same area and could be seen separately on the single visit.

Our Malaysia species of the Greater Flameback shows no ambiguity with its cousin, the Common Flameback. The bold black stripe across the eyes and the longer beak say all. For once the female too looks different from other females. I could see the feathers of this birds when seen at close proximity looks ruffled and the stripes very distinctive. After some getting use too, it is easy to tell the differences between the two in the field.

In Malaysia, where can the bird be found:- The colony in the Matang forest was very active. Virtually sure of meeting up with them on all visits. Those in Kuala Selangor Nature were harder to come by, but chances to see them is more than good.

With Will would Wander