Size & diagnostic markings:- 30 cm. This is a good size Woodpecker at 30 cm long.  The male has red crown  neck and under part. The upper part is dark brown interrupted with broad faint whitish orange stripes. The female has grayish brown on the upper part, face and neck while underpart is dull light brown. The similar broad strips on the wings also duller.

Distribution :-  The bird is resident in the chain of islands from Sumatra down to Java and then Borneo Island. This bird is a common resident in Malaysia, may not be seen often but more frequent than many other Woodpeckers.

Habitats & preferences:- This is a lowland forest bird. Prefers dense natural forest with slopes on the hills.

Though this is also a lowland forest bird, it is very seldom seen. This is one Woodpecker of the deep forest. Here while writing I could recall more places I had seen them like the Agriculture Park in Shah Alam, the Kiara Hills, Ampang Recreation Park, Taman Negara and also on the road to the Gap. Though among the names I mentioned, "Parks" were among them, No! these are forest parks with pristine patches of forest where the birds prefers. Never seen  the bird in Public parks. Unlike the Common Flameback, this is is not a bird of open park or forest edge. The Orange-backed is more a bird that prefers forested area with tall trees on hill slopes.

The shape of the bird reminds me of the Great Slaty -backed Woodpecker, rounded with a long flimsy looking neck. The head and neck is out of proportion accentuated by the oversized bill. The crown is red, and with a peak crest that makes this feature, diagnostic. The name "orange-backed" comes the dull orange stripes across the upper part over the dark brown body. These stripes can also be seen at flight.

There are pictures of the female having a black crown.

In Malaysia, where can the bird be found:- Most times I have seen this bird in forest on hill slopes. In Ampang, perdik and of course Rengit is one place that the bird was seen in many trips

With Will would Wander