The maroon woodpecker is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, southern Myanmar, Singapore, and southern Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Sundaland and the Thai–Malay Peninsula
Typical Environment
Occurs in southern Myanmar, southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and parts of Indonesia including Sumatra and Borneo. It inhabits primary and mature secondary evergreen forests, as well as swamp and hill forests where large trees and deadwood are available. The species uses both lowland and lower montane zones, foraging from the understory up to the mid-canopy. It is typically found in shaded, humid interior forest and along quiet edges, avoiding heavily degraded or open areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The maroon woodpecker is a forest specialist that spends much of its time quietly working along trunks and larger branches, often going unnoticed despite its rich coloration. It excavates nest cavities in dead or decaying wood, which later provide shelter for other forest animals. Although still fairly widespread, it depends on intact or semi-intact forest and is sensitive to extensive habitat loss.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and may join mixed-species flocks while foraging. Pairs maintain territories and excavate nest cavities in dead or decaying trunks or large branches. Both sexes typically participate in nesting duties and rear a small brood.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are soft, nasal and whistled notes, often a descending or repeated series that carries through forest understory. Drumming is relatively light and brief, used for communication and territorial display rather than prolonged rolls.
Plumage
Mostly uniform deep maroon to chestnut with darker wings and tail; subtle barring or scalloping may be present on the underparts. Shows a short, slight crest and a contrasting pale horn to grey bill. The overall effect is a rich, dark rufous bird with minimal patterning.
Diet
Primarily feeds on wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, termites, and other arthropods extracted from bark, deadwood, and epiphyte mats. It probes, pecks, and gleans rather than delivering heavy chiseling blows. Occasionally takes small fruits or berries, especially when insect prey is scarce. Foraging is methodical, focusing on rotten stubs, vine tangles, and mossy trunks.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and larger branches in the lower to mid-story of humid evergreen forest. Frequently uses dead snags, fallen logs, and decaying limbs where insect colonies are concentrated. Less often seen in open secondary growth unless remnant large trees are present.
