Scaly-bellied Woodpecker
Picus squamatus
鳞腹绿啄木鸟
Introduction
Species of woodpecker in the family Picidae. Found across the Indian subcontinent and adjoining regions, ranging through Afghanistan, Iran, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan. Inhabits boreal forests, temperate forests, and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Distinguished by prominent scaling on the underparts from breast to vent.
Description
A large woodpecker with predominantly green upperparts and underparts. The breast to vent region shows distinct scaling pattern. Features include a black moustache stripe and black-bordered white supercilia. The tail is strongly barred. Sexes differ in head coloration: males have a red crown while females have a blackish crown. Equipped with a large, pale bill.
Identification
Similar to the streak-throated woodpecker but distinguished by its larger size. Unlike that species, the scaly-bellied woodpecker has an unstreaked throat and upper breast. The combination of unstreaked throat, prominent supercilia, and scaly underparts aids identification.
Distribution & Habitat
Range covers the Indian subcontinent and adjacent areas including Afghanistan, Iran, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan. Occupies boreal forests, temperate forests, and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. No specific migration information provided.
Behavior & Ecology
No behavioral information provided in the source article.
Conservation
No conservation information provided in the source article.
Culture
No cultural information provided in the source article.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
- Genus
- Picus
- eBird Code
- scbwoo1
Subspecies (2)
-
Picus squamatus flavirostris
Afghanistan (except northeastern) and western Pakistan
-
Picus squamatus squamatus
northeastern Afghanistan to northern India (Darjeeling)
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.