The red-headed flameback is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is endemic to the Philippines only being found in the region of Palawan in the islands of Balabac, mainland Palawan, Busuanga and Calamian. It is one of the most spectacular flamebacks with its bright red head and yellow-green back. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the greater flameback. It is found in moist lowland forests including primary, secondary and even plantations and clearings provided there are still standing trees. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Endemic to the Palawan region, occurring on Palawan, Balabac, Busuanga, and the Calamian Islands. It inhabits lowland evergreen and dipterocarp forests, secondary growth, selectively logged areas, and wooded plantations, provided mature or dead trees remain. The species forages from the understory to mid-canopy on trunks and large branches. It also uses forest edges, riverine corridors, and occasionally mangrove margins, but depends on standing snags for nesting.
Altitude Range
0–1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking woodpecker is confined to the Palawan region of the Philippines and was long treated as a subspecies of the Greater Flameback before being split. Males typically show a red malar stripe, while females have a darker, spotted malar area. Its loud laughing calls and vigorous drumming make it easy to detect in forest. By excavating dead wood for insects, it helps control wood-boring pests and creates nest cavities used by other species.
An illustration of a male
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating with short, rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks while foraging. Pairs excavate nest cavities in dead or decaying trees and share incubation and chick-rearing. Breeding is presumed seasonal with clutches of 2–3 eggs, and both adults defend the territory around the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers loud, ringing, laughing calls that carry through the forest. Drumming is strong and rapid on resonant trunks, used for communication and territorial advertisement. Contact calls are sharper, repeated notes during foraging.
Plumage
Bright red head and crest with a golden-yellow to yellow-green mantle and back, giving the classic 'flameback' look. Wings are dark with pale spotting and barred flight feathers; the rump often shows reddish tones. Underparts are buff to pale with fine streaking on the throat and breast. Bill is stout and straight, adapted for chiseling wood.
Diet
Primarily feeds on wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, termites, and other insects extracted from bark and decaying wood. It gleans and probes crevices and will chisel into dead limbs to reach hidden prey. Occasionally takes small fruits or berries, especially when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and large branches in lowland forest, selectively logged woods, and mature plantations with standing snags. Often works along forest edges and riverine trees where dead wood is abundant.
