Piciformes / Picidae / Blythipicus
Bay Woodpecker
Blythipicus pyrrhotis · 黄嘴栗啄木鸟
Introduction
A species in the family Picidae found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests across South and Southeast Asia. It forages primarily on insects 3–4 m below the surface level and is classified as Least Concern.
Description
Mid-size bird with a body length of 26.5–30 cm (10.4–11.8 in) and an average weight of 126–170 g (4.4–6.0 oz). Males have a brown crown, short crest, streaked nape, and pale brown forehead. Females have a shorter bill than males and a pale head without red on the neck.
Identification
Males are distinguished by a brown crown and streaked nape, while females lack red on the neck and have a shorter bill. Vocalizations include a long, dry rattle used for contact between mates and territorial announcements audible over large distances.
Distribution & Habitat
Found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Inhabits evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, heavily wooded ravines with dense growth, at altitudes ranging from 50 m to 2750 m. Five subspecies are recognized: B. p. pyrrhotis (Eastern Nepal to south-central China, Laos, northern Vietnam), B. p. sinensis (south-eastern China), B. p. annamensis (Southern Vietnam highlands), B. p. hainanus (Hainan, China), and B. p. cameroni (Malaysia).
Behavior & Ecology
Diet consists of ants, termites, wood-boring beetles, and occasionally berries. Foraging occurs on trunks, rotting snags, logs, saplings, vines, and bamboo, typically 3–4 m below the surface. Individuals do not forage near conspecifics but maintain loose contact with partners. Breeding displays include crest-raising and wing-flicking. Both sexes excavate nest holes 1–4 m high in live or dead wood and share incubation and brood-feeding duties.
Conservation
Classified as Least Concern. The population is generally uncommon and declining due to habitat loss, but not expected to approach Vulnerable thresholds. The global population size is unknown, but the population in China is estimated at 10,000–100,000 breeding pairs.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Blythipicus
Subspecies (5)
-
Blythipicus pyrrhotis annamensis
highlands of southern Vietnam
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
