Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
Yungipicus maculatus
A small woodpecker of foothill and low-elevation montane forest and more open wooded areas. White, speckled underparts reach a dotted moustache stripe on the face. Dark brown upperparts are cut by white barring on the back and white bands on the head. Male has a red mark on the back of the head. Unmistakable. No other woodpecker of a similar size occurs in its range. Voice includes a short, slightly metallic rattling trill.
Taxonomy
Formerly the taxon included the Sulu pygmy woodpecker (Y. ramsayi), which is now treated as distinct. These two and the Sulawesi pygmy woodpecker (Y. temminckii) appear to form a superspecies. Some taxonomic authorities continue to place this species in the genus Dendrocopos or Picoides.
- Scientific name
- Yungipicus maculatus
- Authority
- (Scopoli, 1786)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Yungipicus
Range and habitat
Smallest Philippine woodpecker, sexes differ, races fall into 3 groups: group 1 validirostris, maculatus and menagei with back moderately barred with blackish brown and white, throat white with dark spots or streaks, and rest of underparts heavily streaked black and white; group 2 fulvifasciatus and leytensis with back boldly barred with black and white, throat whitish, upper breast whitish with distinct black spots and rest of underparts finely slight or no barring on upperparts, but with large white patch on lower back and rump, complete red nuchal crest in male, narrow white throat, yellow breast faintly streaked with brown, and faintly streaked brown and buff bully. The woodpecker is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Ameline Swiftlet
Aerodramus amelis
Medium-sized brownish swiftlet with a weakly forked tail. Found only in the Philippine lowlands. Typically encountered alone or in loose groups over various open habitats, often soaring high. Fairly uniform brown plumage, lack of a pale rump, and size distinguish this species from most others in the area; Philippine Swiftlet is the most similar but is smaller, has a more square-tipped tail, and generally favors higher elevations (typically 700 meters and above).
White-cheeked Antbird
Gymnopithys leucaspis
Distinctive antbird with pale blue eyering and snowy white underparts and rusty upperparts. Black eyebrow and cheek extends through neck sides and down flanks. Occurs in lowland rainforest east of the Andes; no range overlap with similar Bicolored Antbird. Most often seen in the vicinity of army ant swarms, perched on vertical branches or vines close to the ground. Several individuals may gather at a large ant swarm. Listen for harsh descending “churr” calls that might be a clue that there’s an ant swarm nearby.
Blue Malkoha
Ceuthmochares aereus
Odd, dark blue-and-gray cuckoo with a bright yellow bill. Found in thick habitats including forest, forest edge, and thickets. Skulks in the thickest parts of the mid-story, especially preferring vine tangles. Call starts with a hesitant series of high “kik” notes, eventually followed by a long, accelerating trill. Also gives a long up-and-down whistle. Dark coloration and yellow bill are distinctive. Range does not overlap with the similar Green Malkoha.
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