The Himalayan woodpecker is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, primarily the Himalayas and some adjoining areas, and ranges across Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan. Its natural habitats are boreal forests and temperate forests. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Region
Himalayas and adjoining ranges
Typical Environment
Occurs from northeastern Afghanistan through Pakistan and India to Nepal and Bhutan, mainly along the Himalayan chain. It inhabits temperate and boreal-like montane forests, especially coniferous stands of pine, fir, spruce, and deodar, as well as mixed oak–rhododendron forests. Often uses forest edges, clearings, and wooded ravines and will visit orchards and human-modified woodlands with mature trees. Undertakes local upslope–downslope movements following weather and food availability.
Altitude Range
1500–3500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This medium-sized woodpecker is adapted to high-elevation forests of the Himalayas, where it forages on trunks and larger branches. It excavates nest cavities in dead or decaying wood, which later provide homes for other cavity-nesting species. Typical of woodpeckers, it communicates with rapid drumming on resonant branches. It helps control bark-boring insects and beetle larvae in conifer stands.
Temperament
alert and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong undulating flight
Social Behavior
Generally seen singly or in pairs, forming stable breeding pairs that defend territories. Both sexes excavate nest cavities in deadwood and share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Breeding typically occurs in spring to early summer with small clutches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp pik notes and rattling series. Drumming is a rapid, even roll on resonant trunks used for advertising territory and pair communication.
Plumage
Classic black-and-white woodpecker pattern with bold white shoulder patches and barred wings; underparts pale with fine streaking and flanks lightly barred. Undertail often reddish. Male shows a red crown or nape, while the female has a dark crown without red.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects, especially beetle larvae, ants, and other invertebrates gleaned or extracted from bark and wood. It probes crevices, flakes bark, and chisels into decaying trunks to reach prey. Will supplement its diet with seeds, nuts, and berries when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages on medium to large trees in mature conifer and mixed montane forests, often using dead snags and fallen logs. Frequently works along trunks and main branches, and occasionally visits forest edges and orchards.
