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
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia
Distinctive, large white wading bird with a spatula for a bill. Adult has short crest, yellowish breast patch. First year has paler bill, with fine black wingtips visible in flight. Sleeping birds have horizontal posture and bulging neck, vs. more vertical stance of egrets. Found in wetlands with shallow water (including tidal flats), where feeds by sweeping its bill side-to-side for crustaceans and small fish. May be confused with egrets when sleeping, but note stockier, more thickset overall appearance.
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Common and fairly widespread across much of North America and the Caribbean. Medium-sized songbird with a relatively long tail, small head, and short bill. Gray above and paler whitish below. Note white wingbars and large white patch at the base of the primaries. Found in a variety of open habitats with scattered bushes or trees, often close to human settlements. Well-known for its impressive mimicry; often includes a wide range of other birds, car alarms, slamming doors, and other mechanical noises in its song. Limited range overlap with Tropical Mockingbird at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico; Northern is most easily identified by its large white wing patches.
Singing Quail
Dactylortyx thoracicus
Small, retiring quail of forest understory. Rarely seen, but can be located by listening for noisy rustling in the leaf litter as birds scratch like chickens. Prefers to run away rather than flush. Loud song often reveals its presence, given mainly early and late in the day: first few notes similar to Little Tinamou song, but then breaks into rollicking choruses that can be almost deafening if close by. Male has rusty face and gray body, female colors reversed, with gray face and rusty body.
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