Freckle-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos analis Scientific name definitions

16–18 cm. Male nominate race  has lower forehead light buff, upper forehead and crown  red with (usually) some black or grey streaks (feather bases) visible, nape and hindneck black; face and side of neck whitish, lores and ear-coverts more buff-brown, black malar stripe expanding at rear and continuing just on to upper breast side ; stony-buff chin and throat  ; upperparts black, broad white bars from mantle to upper rump, wing-coverts with broad white tips; black flight-feathers barred white; uppertail black, barred white; light stony-buff to creamy buffish below, breast with black freckling, lower flanks  and belly sometimes with faint dark streaks, central lower belly to undertail-coverts plain light pinkish; long straight bill chisel-tipped, grey, darker tip; iris red-brown, orbital ring grey; legs greyish. Female lacks red on head, has upper forehead to nape all blackish. Juvenile has less pink below, both sexes with some red on crown, male more than female. Race longipennis  is paler below than nominate, with markings more prominent, broader spots and streaks on breast  forming necklace, thin bars on flanks  , deeper red-pink undertail-coverts  ; andamanensis is distinctive, differs from other two races in having pale bill, black-streaked face, white throat, large rounded or heart-shaped spots on breast, barred upper belly and flanks, female  with brown (not black) crown .

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.

Closely related to D. atratus. Until recently generally treated as conspecific with D. macei, but separated (1 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 ) by its pale pink vs bright red vent (2); more extensive white barring on tail (3); lightly spotted breast vs dark-streaked breast sides (2); stony-buff vs dirty buff underparts, notably on chin and throat (ns[1]); smaller size, with no overlap in measurements (expected score at least 2); different voice (expected score at least 2). Birds of W Javan hills described as race montis, but inseparable from analis. Race andamanensis has boldest breast spotting but also strongest-coloured vent, one character pushing it farther from and the other closer to D. macei (but its tail pattern aligns it with D. analis); further study needed. Three subspecies recognized.

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Diet ants and various other insects, including larvae (usually large ones), also small scorpions (Scorpiones); berries and fruits also taken. Occurs singly or in pairs, or in family parties, also in mixed-species flocks. Generally favours tall trees, including isolated ones in open areas near forest. Forages at middle and upper levels on trunks and larger branches, also high up under crown and among crown foliage on small branches and large twigs; in Andaman Is (race andamanensis) also at low levels inside bushes; will descend to the ground when seeking ants. Techniques include gleaning, probing, pecking and hammering; also prises off bark.

Sharp  “chik” or “tsik” notes slowly repeated, also softer “chip” or “tsip”, calls  sometimes repeated in a short trill; also “chu-ik” and somewhat less disyllabic “kui”; emits a loud chatter, “kut-kut-kut-…” on rising scale, also a harsh fast rattle of up to c. 12 “pit” notes introduced by single “pik”. Drums in rather quiet, weak rolls, each 1–2 seconds in duration.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Locally not uncommon, but generally rather poorly known. Uncommon to fairly common in Myanmar and SE Asia; fairly common in Andaman Is; fairly common in Java and Bali. Has reasonably large range, within which population believed to be stable, with no evidence of any declines in numbers or any serious threats. Occurs in several protected areas, e.g. Doi Inthanon National Park (Thailand), Baluran National Park (Java) and Bali Barat National Park (Bali).