The crimson-naped woodpecker, crimson-breasted woodpecker or scarlet-breasted woodpecker is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Nepal. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It was previously considered conspecific with necklaced woodpecker.
Region
Eastern Himalayas and southern China
Typical Environment
Occurs from Nepal and Bhutan through northeastern India and Myanmar into southern and central China. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, favoring edges, secondary growth, and mixed oak–rhododendron and pine–broadleaf forests. The species readily uses deadwood and snags for foraging and nesting. It can persist in selectively logged forests and along wooded ravines, but relies on stands with sufficient mature trees for cavities.
Altitude Range
500–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small pied woodpecker was long treated as conspecific with the necklaced woodpecker but is now recognized as a separate species based on plumage and vocal differences. It frequents forest edges and clearings as well as mature montane forest, and its rapid drumming carries far through steep valleys. Both sexes excavate nest cavities in soft or decaying trunks. The species is generally unobtrusive, often detected by its sharp calls and drumming rather than by sight.
From Khangchendzonga National Park, West Sikkim, India
Temperament
alert and territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and occasionally joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Monogamous pairs excavate their own nest cavity in soft or decaying wood, with both sexes sharing incubation and chick-rearing. Territories are defended with calls and drumming displays.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp pik and kik notes and a brief rattling series. Drumming is a rapid, even roll delivered on resonant trunks or branches, often used for territory advertisement.
