The Himalayan flameback, also known as the Himalayan goldenback, is a species of bird in the family Picidae. At the moment very little is known of this species and more fieldwork is required. The Himalayan flameback is not threatened but it is suspected that deforestation could severely affect the species population.
Region
Himalayan foothills and northern Indian Subcontinent
Typical Environment
Occurs from northern India across the Himalayan foothills through Nepal and Bhutan, reaching parts of northeast India and adjacent Bangladesh. It favors subtropical broadleaf forests, mixed sal (Shorea robusta) woodlands, and forest edges with mature trees. The species also uses riverine belts, wooded ravines, tea estates with remnant trees, and orchards. It typically keeps to trunks and large branches while foraging and is most frequent in semi-open to moderately dense woodland.
Altitude Range
100–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Himalayan flameback, or Himalayan goldenback, is a medium-sized woodpecker of the Himalayan foothills. It drums to communicate and to excavate nest cavities in dead or decaying wood. It can be confused with the Black-rumped Flameback, but shows a more uniformly golden mantle and subtle differences in facial pattern. Forest loss and degradation are potential threats, though the species is currently not considered globally threatened.
Himalayan flameback at Jayanti in Buxa Tiger Reserve in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks. Pairs excavate nest cavities in soft or decaying wood, sharing incubation and chick-rearing duties. Territorial drumming and display flights are used during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls include sharp, metallic kik or krr notes and rapid chattering series delivered from exposed perches. Drumming is a brief, even roll on resonant trunks used for advertisement and territory defense.
Plumage
Golden to bronze-gold mantle and back with darker flight feathers barred and spotted pale; underparts pale with dark streaking and barring. Head shows contrasting black-and-white facial stripes; males have a red crest while females have a blackish crest with red only posteriorly. Tail is dark with pale barring; rump pale to whitish contrasting with the golden mantle.
Diet
Primarily feeds on wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, and other insects extracted from bark and decaying wood. It also takes termites from dead stumps and occasionally small quantities of fruit or nectar. Foraging involves probing, pecking, and flaking bark, with occasional sallies to capture surface prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and large limbs of mature trees in broadleaf and mixed forests, forest edges, and wooded plantations. Often selects dead or diseased trees with abundant insect galleries. Will use semi-open habitats provided there are scattered large trees.
