Woodpeckers
Jayantha JAYAWARDENE
CHISELING
FOR FOOD: Woodpeckers belong to the Family Picidae and the Order
Piciformes. With over two hundred and fifteen species around the world,
there is tremendous diversity among the woodpeckers. This number
includes the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, which has been rediscovered after
many years.
There are nine species of woodpeckers in Sri Lanka. This includes
three endemic sub species. One of the Sri Lankan species is different,
and it has no crest like the others. It also has a different nesting
habit.
The sexes are generally similar except that the males have a little
more red colour on their heads than the females. Woodpeckers generally
live in pairs and in a particular territory but soon after nesting time
they are sometimes seen in groups.
Woodpeckers fly in an undulating manner in that they flap their wings
for a while and then stop flapping for a while.
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Ceylon Pygmy Woodpecker
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In flight, the bird moves up and down slightly as well as moving in a
forward direction. When looking for food it moves up from the bottom of
a tree with its head held up and the tail against the tree for support.
Woodpeckers are specially adapted for a life that is spent mainly in
climbing tree trunks to eat the ants, insects and grubs they find.
Some woodpeckers, in the order Piciformes, have short legs and
zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The
curved claws are strong, compressed and very sharp.
These feet, though adapted for clinging to a vertical surface, can
also be used for grasping or perching as well. Several species have only
three toes. The long tongue found in some woodpeckers can be darted
forward to capture insects in cavities and cracks.
The tail in the species found in Sri Lanka have the shafts of their
tail feathers thick and flexible. These species use their tails as a
prop when pecking on the trunk of a tree.
The beak of these birds are straight, hard and wedge-shaped at the
tip making it suitable for chiselling into wood to obtain their food.
This type of beak is also useful to excavate nest cavities in the trunks
of trees.
Woodpeckers gained their English name because of the habit of some
species of tapping and pecking noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
This is both a means of communication to signal possession of
territory to their rivals, and also a method of locating and accessing
insects and larvae found under the bark or in long winding tunnels in
the tree.
First, the woodpecker locates a tunnel in which there are insects or
grubs by tapping on the trunk. Once a tunnel is found, the woodpecker
chisels out the wood till it makes an opening into the tunnel. Then it
extends its tongue into the tunnel to try to locate the grubs.
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Black-backed Woodpecker
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The tongue of the woodpecker is long and worm-like but hard, acutely
pointed and barbed at the end. The tongue can be put out far out of the
beak. The tongue is covered with a sticky saliva and is used to extract
grubs from their holes in the trees and to collect mouthfulls of small
insects, ants and termites. With its tongue the woodpecker skewers the
grub and draws it out of the trunk.
Woodpeckers have strong necks to be able to absorb the shocks when
pecking at and chiselling strong tree trunks.
Woodpeckers also use their beaks to create larger holes for their
nests which are 15-45 cm (6-18 inches) below the opening. These nests
are lined with wood chips and hold the 2-5 white eggs laid by the
females.
The eggs are white and because the nests are out of sight, they are
not visible to predators. Therefore, the eggs do not need to be
camouflaged. Cavities created by woodpeckers are also re-used as nests
by other birds, such as some ducks and, owls, and mammals such as tree
squirrels.
Woodpeckers are shy birds that do not remain in the presence of
people for too long. They are difficult to spot and often will quietly
fly off or go round the trunk of the tree on which it is, if someone
approaches it.
Woodpeckers are a "core species" of forest and woodland avifauna
since their presence is a fundamental requirement to the existence of a
wide range of other birds. Woodpeckers drill new nest holes each year,
and thus many old nest cavities are available for an entire range of
hole-nesting species.
The common names of the woodpeckers in Sri Lanka have been changed
and taxonomists have changed the scientific names.
This leads to confusion when trying to identify these birds in the
field. For instance, the names in Henry's Guide differ from the recent
publications on these birds. Since Henry's is still the most
authoritative book, it cannot be discounted.
In an earlier article, I have described what a species is. Today
since we will be dealing with three sub-species, I will explain how a
sub-species is classified. One of the criteria of a species is that they
can successfully interbreed with others within the same species.
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Rufous Woodpecker
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However, there are instances where those of the same species, living
in different locations have taken on certain characteristics that make
them different, in some ways, from those of the same species but living
in a different locations.
Therefore, they are given a third scientific name to identify them as
a sub-species. If some representatives of the two sub-species get
together they would be able to breed since they are from the same
species.
The Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker
The Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalensis jaffnense), Greater
Flame-backed (Chrysocolaptes lucidus stricklandi) and the Red-backed
Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalensis psarodes) are three sub-species that
are endemic to this country though the main species itself is not
endemic to Sri Lanka as it is also found in India.
The Small Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker
The Small Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker (Picus xanthopygaeus) is
called Karelle in Sinhala and Maram kotti in Tamil, and is about the
size of a large barbet or the Red-backed woodpecker.
Sexes are similar but the female lacks the red on the crown of the
head and the nape of the neck. This bird is paler than the Yellow-naped
Woodpecker with which it is sometimes confused.
This bird is confined to the sparse wooded country in the Uva basin.
Even in this restricted area it is not common. It is also found, very
rarely, further east in the Passara and Badulla areas.
Unlike other woodpeckers, it is a solitary bird and again unusual to
the other species. It moves about rocks and boulders in search of its
food which consists mainly of grubs, ants and other insects.
Henry says that the breeding season of this bird is during the
south-west monsoon. As with most woodpeckers, the nest is a hole cut in
the trunk of a tree or a suitable branch of a tree. The entrance to the
nest is about two inches in diameter. At the bottom of the foot deep
cavity, two to three eggs are laid.
The Ceylon Yellow-naped Woodpecker
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Small Scaly-bellied Woodpecker
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The Ceylon Yellow-naped Woodpecker is also called Lesser Yellow-naped
Woodpecker (Picus chlorolophus). This is called Konda Kaha Karelle in
Sinhala and Maram Kotti in Tamil. This Tamil name is applied to all
woodpeckers. This bird is endemic to this country.
This woodpecker is about the size of a common mynah. The sexes are
alike except that the female lacks the crimson stripe like a moustache
which the male has. Also the head of the female is a grayish green. It
is found in the hill country going up to about 6,000 feet.
It is also found in the wet zone but not in large numbers. It is
commonest in the foothills of the wet zone. It likes the jungle and
well-wooded village gardens. This woodpecker can be seen, quite often in
the company of other birds that move about together as flocks of mixed
species.
Its food consists of insects, grubs and larvae. Unlike other
woodpeckers, this species descends to the ground and looks for its food
in decaying logs and cow dung. It is also not so shy of the presence of
humans.
The breeding season is from about January to May. The nest is a hole
high up in a tree generally about 10 feet up the trunk but some nests at
two or three feet from the ground have also been found. Two or three
white eggs are laid as the other woodpeckers.
The Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker
The Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker is also called Yellow-crowned Pied
Woodpecker (Dendrocopos mahrattensis), and called Karelle in Sinhala.
This woodpecker is one of the smallest woodpeckers we have. The
smallest being the Pigmy Woodpecker, it is about the size of a
Red-vented Bulbul. It gets its name from the white spots on the black
feathers on its back.
The male has a red crown and yellow side of the head. The female,
however, has no red head but is yellow all over. It is difficult to find
in its habitat easily due to its small size and colouration that has a
camouflage effect.
This is a dry zone bird, which ascends up to 3,000 feet on the
eastern side of the mountains especially the foothills of the Uva hills.
It is also common in the two driest areas of the country, the Hambantota
district and the north-western coast. It prefers open areas and shrub
forests to thick forests.
This bird is seen when in flight or heard when pecking on trees to
get at its food. Otherwise, it is difficult to locate. It moves about in
pairs but groups of this species are also encountered.
The breeding season is from June to about August, and two or three
white eggs are laid. As with other woodpeckers, the nest is a hole in a
convenient tree or on a suitable branch of a tree. If a branch is used
as the entrance to the nest, it is on the underside of the branch.
The Ceylon Pigmy Woodpecker
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Ceylon Yellow-naped Woodpecker
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The Ceylon Pigmy Woodpecker is also called Brown-capped Woodpecker (Dendrocopos
nanusi), and called Mal Karelle in Sinhala. This species is endemic to
the island. This is the smallest species of woodpecker in the island. It
is about the size of a house sparrow. The sexes are alike except that
the female does not have the small red speck on the side of its head.
This woodpecker has wide distribution throughout the wet and dry
zones of the low country going up to 4,000 feet. Its food consists
mainly of ants, termites and small grubs. It prefers open wooded
country.
Henry says that although common in most parts of its range, it eludes
observation by its habit of working at a considerable height on trees,
where its tiny, speckled form does not attract attention.
It is a fascinating little bird to watch, as it hammers vigorously on
dead twigs, woody knots etc. looking for prospective colonies of ants.
Whilst doing so it regularly makes a shrill call to its mate. The Pigmy
Woodpecker breeds from February to July.
The nest is generally high up on the dead branch of a tree. The dead
branch makes it easier for the bird to excavate the nest. The nest hole,
as a result of being up and away from predators, is not as deep as the
nest holes of some of the other woodpeckers. Generally two or three eggs
are laid.
The Rufous Woodpecker
The Rufous Woodpecker (Celeus brachyurus) is called Dumburu Karelle
in Sinhala.
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Crimson-backed Woodpecker
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This woodpecker is about the size of a mynah in size. It is dark
chestnut in colour and is easily distinguished from other woodpeckers.
The female is a little duller than the male in colour.
It is not very common in its habitat, which is the low country. It is
found all over the low country going up to about 2,000 feet. The rufous
woodpecker is a shy bird and is rarely seen close to human habitations.
It is rarely seen in jungles close to villages.
Generally found in pairs, this woodpecker keeps in touch, regularly,
with its mate, while feeding with a chirp-like note. Its diet is similar
to that of the other woodpeckers being ants, termites and grubs.
It comes down to the ground to examine cow-dung and decaying wood
looking for ants etc. It prefers to fly short distances from tree to
tree, but if a longer flight is necessary, it flies in the undulating
manner of the other woodpeckers.
The most interesting feature of this woodpecker is its nesting
habits. Unlike the other woodpeckers, it does not build its nest in a
hole in the trunk of a tree. It excavates the large globular nests of
the Crematogaster ants.
This nest is made of a papier mache like substance by the ants. The
nest cavity is dug out in this nest whilst the ants, which carry a very
vicious sting, and are still in occupation of the nest.
There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between the ants and these
birds. Two or three eggs are laid in this oval nest. They are white and
have a slightly rough surface unlike the smooth eggs of the other
species of woodpeckers. Though the eggs are well protected by the
presence of these ants, their colouration indicates the need for some
form of camouflage.
The Ceylon Golden-backed Woodpecker
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Ceylon Golden-backed Woodpecker and Ceylon Red-backed Woodpecker
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The Ceylon Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalensis)is called
Pita Rang Karelle in Sinhala. There are two sub species of this
woodpecker. The Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalensis jaffnense)
and the Red-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalensis psarodes). They are
difficult to distinguish in the field. and called Pita Ratu Karelle in
Sinhala.
These birds are also the size of a mynah. The sexes are alike but the
female has less red on its head. The golden coloured back makes this
species easy to distinguish in the field. The Black-rumped Flameback and
the Red-backed Woodpecker are two sub species that are endemic to this
country.
The Black-rumped Flameback is found in the northern part of the
island especially in the Northern and the North Central Procinces. It is
found in the coastal areas from Puttalam, through Mannar and Jaffna
going round to Trincomalee.
The Red-backed Woodpecker is common throughout the low country both
in the wet and dry zones. It is the most common woodpecker in the
country found in some urban areas as well. It has a variety of habitats.
The two species inter-mix at and inter-breed in the common boundary
they share in the forests of the northern part of the North Central
Province. The hybrids of these have a number of, sometimes slight,
colour variations.
This woodpecker lives in pairs. It forages for food amongst all types
of trees. It keeps in touch with its mate with a rattling sound. The
Red-backed goes up to 4,000 feet but does not seem to breed in the
higher elevations.
The highest a nest of this species has been found is 3,000 feet.
The breeding season is from March to June and, Henry says that there
is another short season in August - September. The three eggs that are
laid are a glossy white similar to the eggs of the other woodpeckers.
The Black-backed Yellow Woodpecker
The Black-backed Yellow Woodpeckeris also called the White-naped
Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus) and is called Pita Rang Karelle in
Sinhala. This is a very pretty bird. This bird is a little bigger than a
mynah. The male and female have the same colouration except that the
female lacks much of the red on the head.
This bird is not common and found only in the arid areas of
Hambantota and in the drier areas of the northern part of the island. It
seems that the breeding season is from January to March and then again
in July to September. The coconut tree is a popular choice for its nest
hole. Two white eggs are laid
The Crimson-backed Woodpecker
The Crimson-backed Woodpecker or Layard's Woodpecker or Greater
Flame-backed Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes lucidus stricklandi). One name
is Layard's Woodpecker. It is named after the British Ornithologist
Edgar Leopold Layard. This is also a sub species endemic to Sri Lanka.
The main species, however, is also found in India.
It is a forest loving bird found in many parts of the island except
in the highest hills. The breeding season is from October to March. The
nest hole is generally high up in a tree. One to three eggs are laid.
Woodpeckers are a necessary part of our ecosystems, especially
considering the fact that they get rid of, as food, many of the boring
insects and other insects that are a danger to the trees.
Removing these pests prevents the tree from succumbing to death due
to the loss of its trunks and branches. They are useful to a range of
other birds, as they nest in holes that the woodpeckers have excavated.
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