The freckle-breasted woodpecker is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found in Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
The freckle-breasted woodpecker inhabits lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, and secondary woodland across mainland Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia. It frequents mixed deciduous and evergreen forests, bamboo stands, and wooded plantations. It also occurs in parks and gardens with mature trees near forested areas. Deadwood and older trees with soft bark are important for foraging and nesting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small pied woodpecker is named for the fine speckling across its buff underparts. It drums on resonant branches to advertise territory and communicate with mates. Often seen in pairs or small family groups, it may also join mixed-species flocks along forest edges. Its presence in secondary growth and plantations shows some tolerance of habitat modification.
the Andamanese sub-species
Foraging in the branches of Samanea saman. Semarang, Indonesia.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, maintaining territories year-round. Both sexes excavate nest cavities in soft or decaying wood and share incubation and chick-rearing. After breeding, small family parties may forage together and sometimes join mixed-species flocks along forest edges.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp 'pik' and 'kik-kik-kik' notes, often given in quick series. Drumming is a rapid, short burst on resonant wood used for territorial display and pair communication.
Plumage
Pied black-and-white upperparts with barred back and wings; underparts buff to whitish with fine dark speckles giving a 'freckled' look. Undertail coverts are often reddish. Crown pattern differs by sex, with males showing a red crown or nape patch.
Diet
Feeds primarily on ants, beetles, larvae of wood-boring insects, and other small arthropods gleaned from bark and decaying wood. It probes and pecks in crevices, occasionally scaling bark to expose prey. Small amounts of fruit or sap may be taken opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks, branches, and dead snags in forest edges, secondary growth, and plantations. Often uses mid-story to lower canopy levels and favors trees with dead limbs or soft bark.
