Bay Woodpecker
Blythipicus pyrrhotis
A medium-sized woodpecker of dense forests, often encountered only through its song, which sounds like maniacal descending laughter; also gives a loud, high-pitched grating chatter. Bright rufous overall, with black banding on the wings and tail, a paler brown head, and a long, bright yellow bill. Only the male has a red patch on the back of the head. May appear dark brown from a distance or when shaded, but often flashes bright orange when in flight. Drums infrequently, if at all.
Identification
The bay woodpecker is a mid-size bird with a body length of 26.5–30 cm (10.4–11.8 in). The average adult bay woodpecker has a weight of 126–170 g (4.4–5.9 oz). Male bay woodpeckers can be distinguished by a brown crown on their heads, a short crest and nape with streaking, and a pale brown forehead. Female bay woodpeckers have a shorter bill than the males, as well as a pale head without any red on the neck. Bay woodpeckers are members of the Picidae bird family which also includes piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Blythipicus pyrrhotis
- Authority
- (Hodgson, 1837)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Blythipicus
Range and habitat
Bay woodpeckers typically live in evergreen and mixed deciduous forests. They are found in heavily wooded ravines with dense growth. Bay woodpeckers are found in a variety of altitudes, ranging from as low as 50 m, and as high as 2750 m. Bay woodpeckers are most commonly found in the following South Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The bay woodpecker is not globally threatened, but they are generally uncommon. Their population is currently on the decline due to habitat loss, but is not expected to approach the threshold of Vulnerable under the population trend criterion. According to this criterion, they are classified under the "least concern" category of extinction and endangerment. The global population size is currently unknown, but the population of bay woodpeckers in China, one of their primary habitats, is estimated to be at 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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