Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense)
Order: PICIFORMES
Family: PICIDAE Woodpeckers
Scientific name: Dinopium javanense
English name: Common Flameback
Characteristic: Size 30 cm. A woodpecker with orange-yellow back and wings and bright red rump; tail black; breast and belly black marked all over with round white spots. A male has red head and crest, while a female has white-spotted black head and crest. It thas 3 long toes, of which 2 extending forward and only one backward; thus quite suitable for clinging on tree bark and securely climbling around the trunks. Its short tail feathers have stiff central quills for supporting itself while at rest on vertical trunk. Its beak is remarkably long and straight.
Distribution: India, Assam, China, the Sundas, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indo-China. Found in all parts of Thailand.
Habitat: Preferring open forest, mangrove forest and orchards, which lying lower than 1,500 m. altitude. In Sakaerat forest, this wodpecker tends to be seen at the adjoining parts of the dry dipterocarp forest and dry evergreen forest.
Habit: Usually seen as a single bird or a pair of birds climbing tree trunks. Climbing normally start at the trunk base, then circling up rapidly; during short pauses it either knocks the baek with beak or chisels through it for a hiding grub. Its tongue is exceedingly long and sticky with saliva for probing into a hole for insect preys. Its knocking sound is frequently heard throughout the day. Breeds between March and April in high nest cavity, where it will lay a clutch of 2-3 eggs.
Status: A resident bird, commonly found in Sakaerat area. Being declared as a protected wild animal.
