Gray-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Scientific name definitions

Taxonomic note: Lump. This account is a combination of multiple species accounts originally published in HBW Alive. That content has been combined and labeled here at the subspecies level. Moving forward we will create a more unified account for this parent taxon. Please consider contributing your expertise to update this account.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Gray-headed)

28–33 cm; 125–165 g (canus), 110–206 g (jessoensis). Male nominate race has red upper forehead and forecrown (often yellowish at rear), crown usually with very fine black streaks, short pale line over eye, narrow black malar stripe often mottled grey at rear; rest of head and neck ash-grey, slightly tinged greenish when fresh, darker on nape and neck; chin and throat pale grey-white, tinged buff or olive; olive-green upperparts , yellowish or greenish-yellow on rump and uppertail-coverts, latter with olive-green feather bases, wing-coverts occasionally with slight bronze or yellowish tinge; primaries greyish-black to brownish-black, small whitish spots on outer webs, sometimes also on some inner webs, secondaries greyish-black with dull olive-green outer webs, outer feathers often with paler spots; uppertail greenish-brown, obscure paler bars; pale grey below, lower flanks and belly with slight tinge of pale olive-green when fresh, occasionally obscure darker chevrons on lowermost underparts; underwing greyish, heavily barred; undertail blackish, tipped greenish-grey, a few obscure paler bars; fairly long bill slightly chisel-tipped, rather broad-based, culmen moderately curved, blackish-brown to grey-black, usually with olive tinge; iris pinkish to bluish-white, or deep carmine-red with admixed white; legs olive-grey to yellowish-olive. Female on average slightly smaller than male, proportionately shorter bill, head lacking red, has forehead and forecrown pale grey with narrow black shaft streaks, occasionally a few scattered red tips on forehead, black malar weaker and often incomplete. Juvenile duller than adult, greyer above with slight scaly appearance, rump more greenish, some indistinct bars on wing, malar more diffuse and mottled, inconspicuous darker barring below, eyes red-brown, male with small orange-red crown patch. Races somewhat variable: <em>jessoensis</em> is generally slightly paler and greyer, less green, than nominate, in fresh plumage can be almost indistinguishable; griseoviridis  is a darker and purer green than jessoensis (1 Greenway, J.C. (1940). Oriental forms of Picus canus. Auk. 57(4): 550-560. Close ).

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped)

28–33 cm; 143–165 g (sanguiniceps), 137 g (female hessei). Male nominate race has red forehead and forecrown, black hindcrown and nape (some grey streaks on hindcrown), black lores, short pale grey supercilium; rest of head light grey, with pale moustachial and malar stripes enclosing thin black submoustachial; upperparts rather dark green with golden tinge, brighter yellowish on rump; flight-feathers greyish-black to brownish-black, primaries with small whitish spots on outer (and sometimes inner) webs, secondaries with dull olive-green outer webs, outer feathers often with paler spots; uppertail greenish-brown with obscure paler bars; chin to uppermost breast grey, breast to vent dull green or greyish-green; bill fairly long, slightly chisel-tipped, rather broad-based, culmen moderately curved, blackish-brown to grey-black, usually with olive tinge; iris deep carmine-red with admixed white; legs olive-grey to yellowish-olive. Female has entire forehead and crown pale-streaked black. Juvenile is duller and greyer than adult, upperparts somewhat scaly-looking, underside with suggestion of darker barring. Races highly variable, some distinctive: sobrinus has golden tint above, is greener, less grey, below; tancolo  is smaller than last, has deep green upperparts , very green underparts, greyer face; kogo is larger than previous, much paler green, female with black nape and pale-streaked black crown, a few greyish-green on head top; sordidior is same size as last, but darker; hessei is even darker than previous, dark golden-green above , deeper green below  , tail darker and less barred, crown and nape deep black, male  with more extensive red  on crown; sanguiniceps is largest race, plumage as previous but less golden or bronzy above , male with even more extensive red on crown; robinsoni is small, very dark green above and below, but paler throat, yellow-green rump, black crown and nape, male with red forecrown, female crown slightly streaked.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

26–30 cm. A highly distinctive, dark-coloured woodpecker. Male has forehead to nape unstreaked black, small red forecrown patch; rest of head grey, paler moustachial and malar streaks enclosing black moustachial , slight green tinge on throat and side of neck; upperparts deep brownish-red (maroon), brighter red (carmine) on rump, tail plain black; flight-feathers blackish, outer webs of secondaries dull reddish, all with small white spots on outer webs; underparts mostly reddish-brown, more bronzy-black on mid-belly, shading to blackish on lower regions and undertail-coverts, some greyish on flanks and greenish tinge on rear flanks; bill fairly long, slightly chisel-tipped, rather broad-based, culmen slightly curved, greyish to grey-black, sometimes with olive tinge; iris light brown with admixed white; legs olive-grey to grey. Female lacks red crown patch. Juvenile is more blackish above and below than adult.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Gray-headed)

Hitherto considered conspecific with P. guerini and P. dedemi, but differs from former in its less deep, more restricted red on forecrown (2), grey hindcrown with vague blackish streaking vs  black hindcrown (with some grey streaking)  (3), less dark green plumage above (1), reportedly marked vocal differences (assume at least 1); differs from dedemi in its green vs bronzy-red  upperparts and its greenish-tinged pale grey vs bronzy-red breast (3), yellowish vs brilliant red rump (3), dull greyish to olive-grey vs blackish belly and vent (2). Has hybridized with P. viridis in C Europe (2 Lawicki, L., Cofta, T., Beuch, S., Dmoch, A., Sikora, A., Aftyka, S., Czechowski, P., Bocheríski, M., Sieczak, K. and Mazgaj, S. (2015). Identification and occurrence of hybrids Grey-headed x European Green Woodpecker in Poland. Dutch Birding. 37: 215–228. Close ). Several other races have been described throughout species’ vast range, but differ in only very minor, insignificant characters; thus, named forms perspicuus (from Bulgaria), biedermanni (Altai Mts), zimmermanni (NE China) and perpallidus (Ussuriland) do not warrant separation. Three subspecies currently recognized.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped)

Hitherto considered conspecific with P. canus and P. dedemi, but differs from former in its deeper, more extensive red on forecrown (2); black hindcrown (with some grey streaking) vs grey hindcrown with vague blackish streaking (3); darker green plumage above (1); reportedly marked vocal differences (3 Rasmussen, P. C., and J. C. Anderton (2005). Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Volumes 1 and 2. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA and Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) (assume at least 1);  differs from P. dedemi in its green vs bronzy-red upperparts and breast (3), bright yellowish-green vs brilliant red rump (3), and green belly and vent vs bronzy-black mid-belly shading to blackish on belly and vent (2). Races intergrade in many areas. Described forms gyldenstolpei (NE Indian Subcontinent), brunneatus and setschuanus (both from Sichuan) and hainanus (Hainan) considered not to warrant separation, although confinement of same subspecies to highly disjunct Taiwan and Hainan appears improbable. Eight subspecies currently recognized.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

Hitherto considered conspecific with P. canus and P. guerini, but differs from P. g. robinsoni (geographically and morphologically closest form) in its bronzy-red vs dull green upperparts and breast (3); brilliant red vs shining green rump (3); bronzy-black vs dull green mid-belly shading to blackish vs green on belly and vent (2). Monotypic.

• Gray-headed x Eurasian Green Woodpecker (hybrid) Picus canus x viridis

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

Highlands of Sumatra.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Gray-headed)

Open country with many copses, in not over-dense forest, floodplain-forest, parks, orchards, gardens; associated mostly with deciduous trees, but locally in pine-oak (Pinus-Quercus) woodland, or more open coniferous montane forest with larch (Larix); in Europe broad overlap in habitat with P. viridis, but more in forest interior. Avoids pure coniferous taiga in C Siberia, preferring broadleaved forest. Lowlands and hills in Europe, to 1700 m, non-breeders to 2000 m.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped)

Open alder (Alnus) or oak forest in Nepal and N Myanmar, and open deciduous and coniferous country in Tibet and W China. Race hessei in Myanmar and Thailand prefers deciduous forest and drier and more open parts of teak forest, rather than evergreen; in highlands of S Annam (Vietnam), shows a liking for native pine forest. Other habitats occupied by this species include bamboo groves mixed with second growth. To 2200 m in Indian Subcontinent, but to 2600 m in Nepal (more common below 2000 m); to 2300 m in N Myanmar and China; c. 900–1830 m in Peninsular Malaysia.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

Upper montane forest, between c. 1000 m and 2000 m; has been recorded at 2300 m on Mt Dempo (1 Greenway, J.C. (1940). Oriental forms of Picus canus. Auk. 57(4): 550-560. Close ). May at times venture into bamboo in second growth.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Gray-headed)

Essentially non-migratory. Some local post-breeding movements to more favourable, usually lower-lying, wintering grounds, e.g. riparian woodland, human habitations. Normally disperses farther than P. viridis in Europe; some nomadic winter movements occur among N populations in Asian part of range, also in connection with irregular movements of Dendrocopos major in Scandinavia.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped)

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Gray-headed)

Appears to have more varied diet than that of P. viridis. Chiefly ants (Myrmica, Lasius), termites (Isoptera) and their brood, which often make up more than 90% of stomach contents; also other insects (e.g. Coleoptera larvae), and spiders; also nest contents of other birds. Fruits  (e.g. apple, pear, cherries, camphor), berries, seeds (e.g. Rhus), nuts and acorns also consumed, and nectar taken. Regularly visits feeders . Usually solitary outside breeding season, otherwise in pairs or small family parties. Regularly feeds on ground  ; probes into soil, pushing and digging with the bill, using the tongue   to lick up prey. Funnel-shaped holes dug into ground, used repeatedly as sources of ants. Arboreal foraging  with single pecks, some excavation in decaying wood at low levels, and intensive use of the tongue at crevices and sites of decayed wood. Also licks from sap wells, but seems not to ring trees itself. Simple anvils used occasionally. Moves on ground with heavy hops; otherwise, more lively and agile than P. viridis, flies even short distances within a tree.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped)

Diet consists mostly of ants (Myrmica, Lasius), termites (Isoptera) and their brood, also other insects (e.g. Coleoptera larvae), and spiders; fruits, berries, seeds and nuts also consumed, and nectar taken. Usually solitary outside breeding season, otherwise in pairs or small family parties; in tropical areas (e.g. Thailand), will associate with mixed bird flocks of other terrestrial foragers. Arboreal foraging with single pecks, some excavation in decaying wood at low levels, and intensive use of the tongue at crevices and sites of decayed wood. Also licks from sap wells. Regularly feeds on ground; probes in soil, pushing and digging with the bill, using the tongue to lick up food items.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Gray-headed)

Single “kik” calls  ; descending sequence of 5–20 clearly separated mournful “kiu” or “pew” notes, female’s series usually shorter, more raucous; low “dyook dyook” series between partners at close distances; low to moderately loud “kyak kyak kyak” in agonistic situations; “wíte-wíte..” during body-swinging displays; “keek, kak kak kak kak” calls common outside breeding season. Drums  regularly pre-breeding, rolls longer than those of P. vittatus but rhythm slightly slower, in Europe 19–40 strokes at rate of c. 20 per second.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped)

Single “kik” calls; “keek, kak-kak-kak-kak” calls common outside breeding season. Territorial call a descending sequence of up to 20 (usually fewer) clearly separated mournful “kiu” or “piew” notes, female’s series usually shorter, more raucous, in Himalayas and perhaps elsewhere series also softer and less descending than those of European P. canus; series of low “dyook dyook” between partners at close distances; “kyak kyak kyak” in agonistic situations, and “wíte-wíte..” during body-swinging displays. Drums regularly in pre-breeding period, rolls longer than those of P. vittatus but rhythm slightly slower.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

Poorly known. Drums frequently.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Gray-headed)

Lays from end Apr to early Jun. During courtship, landing with fluttering wingbeats associated with presence of partner and a nest-hole; occasional courtship feeding by male. Nest-hole   excavated in 9–20 days or more, at 0·2–24 m, commonly between 1·5 m and 8 m, in dead wood or soft living wood, or in fungus-afflicted hard wood, most often in deciduous tree  of variety of species; entrance hole   a vertical oval c. 6 cm × 5·5 cm, cavity depth c. 28 cm. Clutch 4–10 eggs, generally 7–9 in C Europe; both sexes incubate, male during night, male also seems to incubate more than female during day, period 14–17 days; chicks fed by regurgitation , by both parents equally, helping by a second female known to have occurred; fledging period 23–27 days; young accompanied by parents for some time afterwards.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped)

Season Apr–Jun. Excavates nest-hole (occasionally uses natural hole) in tree at 0·2–10 m, commonly between 1·5 m and 8 m, occasionally higher. Clutch 4–10 eggs, varies geographically, generally 4–5 in Himalayas and SE Asia; little information available on incubation and fledging periods. Young accompanied by parents for some time after leaving nest.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Gray-headed)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Reasonably common, if rather local, throughout most of range. Locally common in Europe and across much of Asian distribution; widespread but generally uncommon in NE China. Estimated population in European Russia c. 31,600 pairs; c. 94,000 pairs in rest of Europe, including 35,000 in Romania and 20,000 in Germany. Density in C Europe c. 0·1 pairs/km², locally up to 10 pairs/km². Has decreased in some areas, e.g. Romania, probably as a result of intensification of forestry methods. Few relevant data from other parts of range, but appears to be fairly stable.

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Has extremely large range, within which it is reasonably widespread but nowhere truly abundant. Global population not quantified. Generally uncommon in China; common or locally common in N Indian Subcontinent, but rare in Pakistan; fairly common to scarce in SE Asia, but rare to very rare in Peninsular Malaysia. Little information on populations trends, but thought likely to be in decline in many regions as a result of destruction and fragmentation of habitat. As it prefers more open forest and edge habitats, this woodpecker should be able to tolerate a certain amount of habitat disturbance (5 Wells, D. R. (1999). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Volume 1. Non-passerines. Academic Press, London, UK. Close ).

Gray-headed Woodpecker (Sumatran)

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. Confied to mountains of Sumatra, where rare to very rare. Global population size not yet quantified. Since the second half of the last century, Sumatra has undergone extensive forest clearance and degradation; of primary forest cover present in 1990, 35·7% lost and a further 11% degraded by 2010, although much primary forest in highland areas remains intact (6 Margono, B.A., Turubanova, S., Zhuravleva, I., Potapov, P., Tyukavina, A., Baccini, A., Goetz, S. and Hansen, M.C. (2012). Mapping and monitoring deforestation and forest degradation in Sumatra (Indonesia) using Landsat time series data sets from 1990 to 2010. Environmental Research Letters. 7: 034010. Close ). Consequently, this species is believed to be suffering moderately rapid decline (approaching 30% over three generations, c. 17 years) owing to continuing habitat loss and degradation; rate of this woodpecker’s decline thought not to be even more rapid because it exhibits some tolerance of habitat modification and fragmentation, and because it occurs in montane areas and is not exposed to the most rapid rates of deforestation in the region. It occurs in Kerinci-Seblat and Gunung Leuser National Parks. There is a need for its precise ecological requirements to be determined, and a full assessment of its ability to persist in degraded and fragmented habitats is required. Field study is needed in order to ascertain details of its biology. Action is required to ensure that protected areas in which it occurs are properly and effectively protected.