The necklaced woodpecker is a small species of woodpecker in the genus Dryobates. It is found in Bangladesh, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Southern China and mainland Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern and southwestern China south through Myanmar and into Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, with records extending west to Bangladesh. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, as well as forest edges and secondary growth with mature trees. The species favors areas with standing dead wood or decaying limbs for foraging and nesting. It is generally a resident throughout its range, moving locally in response to food availability.
Altitude Range
0–2700 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named for the dark breast band that forms a neat 'necklace,' this small woodpecker is often detected by its soft tapping and quick, undulating flight between trunks. It forages methodically on bark and dead wood for insects and will occasionally join mixed-species flocks. Males show a red crown patch, while females lack red on the head. It excavates nest cavities in soft or decaying wood during the breeding season.
Temperament
shy and active
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small family groups after breeding. It excavates nest cavities in dead or decaying wood and lines them sparsely with wood chips. Both sexes participate in drumming and territorial displays. May join mixed-species foraging flocks in the non-breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, quick notes such as kik or pik, often given in series. Drumming is a short, rapid burst on resonant limbs, used for communication and territory advertisement.
Plumage
Black-and-white barred upperparts with pale underparts crossed by a dark breast band forming a 'necklace'; fine barring or spotting along flanks. Male shows a red crown/nape patch; female has a dark crown. Face with bold black-and-white pattern and a narrow moustachial stripe. Tail is black with white barring on the outer feathers.
Diet
Feeds mainly on wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, termites, and other small insects found beneath bark or in decaying wood. It probes crevices, pecks, and flakes bark to expose prey, occasionally gleaning from twigs and branches. Seasonally, it may take small amounts of fruit or seeds, but animal prey dominates.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and larger branches of mature trees in moist broadleaf and mixed forests. Also uses forest edges, selectively logged stands, and wooded ravines where dead wood is available.
