Scaly-bellied Woodpecker Picus squamatus Scientific name definitions

c. 35 cm; 156–194 g. Male has red forehead, crown and nape , usually some dark feather bases showing through (especially when worn), more orangey in narrow wedge down hindneck; black upper lores and narrow line along crown side, white supercilium from above eye to side of nape, narrow black eyestripe; lower lores yellowish-white, cheeks and ear-coverts olive-grey, greener or yellower on neck side; black malar stripe streaked whitish; olive chin, throat and breast, variably grey-tinged; green upperparts, yellow on rump and uppertail-coverts, latter with green bases; flight-feathers and primary coverts blackish-brown, secondaries and tertials with green outer (and part of inner) webs, all barred whitish; uppertail dark brown, barred buff-white, strong green suffusion on outer feathers; lower breast and belly greyish-white, tinged greenish, feathers with broad black submarginal lines producing strong scaly appearance, usually also thin black shaft streaks; underwing barred brown and white, coverts yellowish; undertail as above but paler, yellowish barring; in worn plumage, upperparts much greyer, duller yellow rump, breast greyer, markings below even more contrasting; long bill almost straight, slightly chisel-tipped, fairly broad across nostrils, pale horn-yellow to yellowish-grey, usually darker tip; iris pinkish-red, paler outer ring; legs greenish-grey to olive. Female is shorter-billed than male, perhaps duller green, has forehead to nape black with grey streaks. Juvenile greyer than adult, blotchy grey and dull green above, black hindneck, entire underparts with scaly pattern but markings less contrasting, eyes brownish, male with much black in red of crown. Race flavirostris is much paler than nominate, yellower above with more obvious barring on wings, and has whiter throat, pale olive-buff breast, yellowish belly to vent; scaling narrower and less contrasting.

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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.

Coniferous and mixed coniferous forest, and forests with temperate deciduous trees, e.g. oaks (Quercus) and ash (Fraxinus). Adaptable, found in juniper (Juniperus) scrub-forest, coniferous forest (Abies spectabilis, Picea smithiana), pine (Pinus) forest, subtropical dry deciduous forest, also in arid areas wherever tamarisk (Tamarix) scrub, groves, orchards or plantations provide foraging and nesting sites; also inhabits large clearings in burned forest with plenty of dead and decaying trees. Restricted to riparian woodland dominated by poplars (Populus) in NW of range. Frequently in orchards in winter. From 1500 m to 3700 m, locally down to 600 m, on Himalayan slopes; wanders above timber-line outside breeding season.

Some individuals of Himalayan populations move to lower altitudes in winter.

Predominantly ants and termites (Isoptera), also larvae of wood-boring insects; berries also taken in winter. Forages singly or in pairs, or in family groups. Forages by pecking and hammering on trees; regularly descends to ground  , also inspects rocks. Moves on the ground by hopping.

Main call  , also in flight, a melodious vibrating “klee-guh kleeguh” or “kuik-kuik-kuik”, rapidly repeated 3–8 times, as advertisement; also, short high-pitched “kik”, more rarely a single nasal “cheenk” or “peer”; laughing calls similar to those of P. viridis; soft notes in close encounters between two individuals; squeaky “chissuh-chissuh” in greater excitement; nestlings give loud wheezing “chuff-chuff”. Drums regularly in breeding season.

Laying late Apr to early Jun, mainly early to late May. Nest excavated by both sexes, in tree of wide range of species, including e.g. holm oak (Quercus ilex), pistachio (Pistacia), apricot, tamarisk, at 2–6 m or higher (to 15 m), or may be low down, even close to ground (30 cm), or in exposed roots in a riverbank; circular entrance hole 6 cm wide, cavity depth 30 cm; many holes sometimes started before final selection made, which may be hole from a previous year. Clutch 4–6 eggs; both sexes incubate, period 17 days; chicks fed by regurgitation, fully feathered and come to hole entrance after 2 weeks; juveniles accompanied by parents for some days after fledging.

Not globally threatened. Common to fairly common, but rather local. Formerly extended west into Transcaspia, but no recent records; apparently extinct W of Afghanistan. Appears to be adaptable. No obvious threats.