The buff-spotted flameback is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found on the Philippine islands of Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Biliran, Panaon, Mindanao, Basilan, and Samal. Along with the other Philippine species, Yellow-faced flameback, Luzon flameback, Red-headed flameback, it was formerly conspecific greater flameback
Region
Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs on Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Biliran, Panaon, Mindanao, Basilan, and Samal. It inhabits lowland and foothill forests, including primary and well-structured secondary growth. Often found along forest edges, riparian strips, and in mixed-agriculture mosaics with large remnant trees. It also visits coconut groves and wooded parks where mature trunks are available. Requires standing dead wood or decaying limbs for foraging and nesting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This Philippine flameback woodpecker was formerly lumped with the Greater Flameback but is now treated as a distinct species restricted to the southern and eastern Philippines. It excavates nest cavities in dead or decaying trees and plays an important role in forest ecosystems by creating hollows used by other animals. Males and females differ in head coloration, and pairs keep in contact with loud calls and drumming. It tolerates secondary growth better than some forest specialists but still depends on mature trees for nesting.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with stiff wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes with a dependent juvenile. Pairs maintain year-round territories and communicate with calls and drumming. They excavate nest cavities in dead trunks or large branches, with both sexes assisting in excavation and chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a loud, sharp series of kik or keek notes accelerating into a rattle. Also produces steady drumming rolls on resonant dead wood. Calls carry far through forest edges and are often the first sign of its presence.
Plumage
Golden to coppery mantle and back with fine buff spotting, contrasting darker wings and tail; underparts buffy to whitish with darker barring. Face shows strong dark-and-pale stripes with a pale throat. Male has a bright red crest, the female’s crest is darker with paler spotting. Rump and lower back can show warmer rufous or flame tones, especially in flight.
Diet
Feeds mainly on ants, termites, beetles, and wood-boring larvae gleaned from bark and decaying wood. Probes under loose bark, hammers into soft or rotten timber, and occasionally takes insects from epiphytes and vine tangles. Will supplement its diet with small fruits or nectar opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and large limbs of mature trees in primary and secondary forests. Frequently uses edges, clearings with snags, and agroforestry plots that retain big trees. Often works mid to upper levels of the canopy but also descends to stumps and fallen logs.
