Himalayan Woodpecker

The Himalayan Woodpecker is a substantial pied woodpecker found across Himalayan forest, ranging from mixed broadleaf woodland to coniferous forest at higher elevations. Compared to some other large pied woodpeckers, its upperparts show fine barring rather than solid black, along with a red patch under the tail.

It is a familiar bird of Himalayan forest, often detected by its drumming carrying through the trees.

• Upperpart feathers show fine black-and-white barring rather than solid black, a useful distinction from similar large pied woodpeckers
• Males show a red patch on the crown, absent in females
• Undertail covert feathers are red in both sexes
• Flanks and underparts show dark streaking on a pale ground
• Tail feathers are black with white markings, stiffened for bracing

Males have a red crown patch; females lack red on the crown but share the red undertail coverts seen in both sexes. Juveniles are duller with softer streaking below. A single molt follows the breeding season.

• Found across the Himalayan range, from Pakistan through northern India, Nepal, and into parts of Tibet and western China
• Favors coniferous and mixed broadleaf-conifer forest at middle to higher elevations
• Resident, with some local elevational movement outside the breeding season

This species forages on trunks and larger branches for wood-boring insects, and drums frequently to advertise territory, especially in spring. Its calls are sharp and carrying. Nest cavities are excavated in dead wood within coniferous or mixed forest.