Lesser Yellow-nape woodpecker

In n a cold but bright afternoon, we were at the high bank point near Gairal FRH in CTR. we were scanning the area in the riverbed for any tiger. After some time Nischal started scanning tree tops and tree trunks for something of interest. Soon he spotted a pair of Lesser Yellow-nape Woodpecker and pointed it our to me and Raminder. We held our camera equipment and started clicking these pictures. This picture was taken at same time.

The lesser yellow-nape (Picus chlorolophus) is a type of woodpecker which is a widespread and often common breeder in tropical and sub-tropical Asia, primarily the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It ranges from India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka eastwards to Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

This is a jungle species which nests in a tree hole, laying two to four white eggs. Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects.

The lesser yellownape is a largish species at 27 cm in length. It has a typical woodpecker shape. The upperparts are green apart from the bright yellow tufted nape. The neck and breast are green and the belly is whitish, finely barred with green. The rump and tail are blackish.

CTR. Jan, 2015. 600mm f/4, 1/100 seconds, Spot metering, ISO 100

• Date

  26-09-2023