Luzon Flameback (Chrysocolaptes haematribon)

Until recently, considered a subspecies in the C. lucidus group of taxa (C. guttacristatus, C. stricklandi, C. strictus, C. erythrocephalus, C. haematribon, C. lucidus and C. xanthocephalus). Differs from geographically adjacent and morphologically closest relative, C. lucidus (sensu stricto; see that species), in having black vs dirty yellow ground colour of female’s head (3); blackish ear-coverts and rear neck sides (2); no extensive broad buff spotting on underparts but, instead, more densely spotted with smaller spots on throat (2), cutting rapidly to a very weakly marked dirty yellowish-tinged buff from mid-breast to vent with obsolete soft-edged scaling or barring (ns[1]); and slightly more crimson (less scarlet) crown (male) and upperparts (ns[1])#R. Proposed race grandis (Polillo) considered too poorly differentiated to warrant recognition; described forms montium (N Luzon) and ramosi (S Luzon) likewise invalid. Monotypic.