The rufous woodpecker is a medium-sized brown woodpecker native to South and Southeast Asia. It is short-billed, foraging in pairs on small insects, particularly ants and termites, in scrub, evergreen, and deciduous forests and is noted for building its nest within the carton nests of arboreal ants in the genus Crematogaster. It was for sometime placed in the otherwise Neotropical genus Celeus but this has been shown to be a case of evolutionary convergence and molecular phylogenetic studies support its placement in the monotypic genus Micropternus.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Found from the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka through Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar into Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Peninsular Malaysia, extending to Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. It inhabits evergreen and deciduous forests, secondary growth, forest edges, mangroves, and plantations such as rubber and teak. The species tolerates disturbed habitats and mosaics of woodland and scrub. It often forages in the mid-story and lower canopy, including along forest edges and clearings.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This short-billed woodpecker ranges across South and Southeast Asia and often forages in pairs. It is famed for nesting inside the carton nests of arboreal Crematogaster ants, a rare behavior among woodpeckers. Once placed in the Neotropical genus Celeus due to similar appearance, genetic studies show this was convergent evolution and support its placement in the monotypic genus Micropternus.
The angle of the chin is closer to the bill tip than to the base of the commissure
M. b. phaioceps in Thailand
Temperament
unobtrusive and methodical
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small family groups and occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Monogamous breeders that excavate nest chambers within the carton nests of Crematogaster ants, with both sexes participating. They defend a territory but are generally inconspicuous while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include a series of nasal, rattling notes and whistled phrases, often delivered from a perch. Drumming is relatively soft and infrequent compared to many other woodpeckers.
