Black-rumped Flameback
Dinopium benghalense
小金背啄木鸟
Introduction
The Indian subcontinent hosts this woodpecker species. It occurs in urban environments including tree-lined avenues and gardens, as well as forested areas and cultivated landscapes. The species is characterized by golden-yellow wing coverts and a black rump. Its vocalization consists of a rattling-whinnying call, and it displays an undulating flight pattern. The species is less frequently observed in desert regions such as Kutch and Rajasthan.
Description
This is a large woodpecker measuring 26-29 cm in length with the typical woodpecker silhouette. The most striking feature is the golden-yellow wing coverts that give the bird its flameback name. Unlike the greater flameback, this species has a black rump rather than red. The underparts are white with distinctive dark chevron markings. The head appears whitish with a black nape and throat, separated by a greyish eye patch. A key identifying feature is the black throat finely marked with white, and notably, there are no dark moustachial stripes. Adult males display a crimson crown and crest, while females have a black forecrown spotted with white with red restricted to the rear crest. Like all woodpeckers, it has a straight pointed bill, stiff tail for trunk support, and zygodactyl feet with two toes forward and two backward.
Identification
The black rump is the most reliable field mark separating this species from the similar greater flameback, which has a red rump. The black throat with fine white markings distinguishes it from all other golden-backed woodpeckers in the region. Unlike the greater flameback, it lacks dark moustachial stripes on the face. Males can be identified by their entirely red crown and crest, while females show a black forecrown with white spots and red only on the rear portion of the crest. The combination of black throat, black rump, and absence of facial stripes is unique to this species within its range.
Distribution & Habitat
This species occurs widely across the Indian subcontinent from the plains up to approximately 1200 meters elevation. Its range extends through Pakistan, India south of the Himalayas, eastward to western Assam valley and Meghalaya, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It favors open forest and cultivated areas with scattered trees. Notably, it is one of the few woodpeckers comfortable in urban environments and is frequently seen in wooded avenues within cities. However, it becomes somewhat rare in the arid Kutch region and desert areas of Rajasthan.
Behavior & Ecology
These birds are typically seen in pairs or small parties and occasionally join mixed-species foraging flocks. They forage at all heights from ground level to the canopy, feeding primarily on beetle larvae extracted from beneath bark, visiting termite mounds, and sometimes taking nectar. Their movements consist of characteristic hops around branches that help conceal them from predators. They adapt well to human-modified habitats, sometimes using artificial structures and even feeding on fallen fruits or food scraps. The breeding season varies with weather conditions but generally falls between February and July. During this time, they drum frequently. Nests are excavated in tree trunks with horizontal entrances descending into cavities, though they sometimes use mud embankments or usurp other birds' holes. The typical clutch is three glossy white, elongate eggs, incubated for about 11 days, with chicks fledging after roughly 20 days.
Culture
In Sri Lanka, this bird is known by the generic name 'kæralaa' in Sinhala, though in some regions it is also called 'kottoruwa,' a name more commonly applied to barbets. The species holds cultural significance as it has appeared on postage stamps from both Sri Lanka (valued at 4.50 rupees) and Bangladesh (valued at 3.75 taka), reflecting its recognition as a familiar and distinctive bird in these countries.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Dinopium
- eBird Code
- bkrfla1
Vocalizations
Subspecies (5)
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Dinopium benghalense benghalense
northern India to Assam and southwestern Myanmar
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Dinopium benghalense dilutum
Pakistan and northwestern India
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Dinopium benghalense jaffnense
northern Sri Lanka
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Dinopium benghalense puncticolle
southern India, except Western Ghats
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Dinopium benghalense tehminae
southwestern India (Western Ghats)
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.