Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense) – A Comprehensive Study

Taxonomy & Classification

• Scientific Name: Dinopium benghalense
• Common Name: Golden-backed Woodpecker / Black-rumped Flameback
• Family: Picidae (Woodpecker family)
• Order: Piciformes
• Genus: Dinopium
• Species: benghalense

The Golden-backed Woodpecker is one of the most striking and widely distributed woodpecker species in South Asia. Known for its golden-yellow back, black rump, and vibrant red crest, it is often seen drumming on trees in open woodlands and urban parks. Unlike some woodpeckers that prefer dense forests, this species is highly adaptable to human-modified landscapes.

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Morphological Features

Size & Dimensions

• Length: 26–29 cm (10–11.5 inches)
• Wingspan: 40–45 cm
• Weight: 110–130 grams

Coloration & Plumage

• Head & Crown: Black with a brilliant red crest (in males) or black crest (in females).
• Back & Upperparts: Golden-yellow, giving the bird its name.
• Rump: Black, contrasting with the golden back.
• Underparts: White with black streaks.
• Wings: Black with white spotting.
• Tail: Black, stiff, and pointed, providing stability while climbing.
• Eyes: Dark brown.
• Beak: Strong, chisel-like, and greyish-white.
• Legs & Feet: Strong, zygodactylous (two toes forward, two backward), adapted for gripping tree trunks.

Sexual Dimorphism

• Males: Have a bright red crest.
• Females: Have a black crest with white streaks.

Distinctive Features

• Golden-yellow back and contrasting black rump, making it easy to identify.
• Loud drumming and sharp calls, often heard before the bird is seen.
• Highly adaptable, often seen in urban gardens, farmlands, and open woodlands.

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Habitat & Distribution

General Habitat

The Golden-backed Woodpecker thrives in open and semi-forested landscapes, including:

• Deciduous and mixed forests
• Mangrove forests and coastal woodlands
• Riverine forests and floodplain forests
• Urban gardens, parks, and coconut plantations
• Open woodlands and scrub forests

Global Distribution

This species is widely found across South Asia, including:

• Indian Subcontinent: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
• Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Thailand (limited populations).

Presence in Sundarban

The Sundarban mangrove ecosystem provides a suitable habitat for the Golden-backed Woodpecker, especially in buffer zones and mixed forest patches.

• Found in taller mangrove trees with thick trunks, especially Sundari (Heritiera fomes) and Passur (Xylocarpus granatum).
• Prefers mangrove edges where tree density is lower.
• Less common in inner tidal regions but occasionally seen foraging on decaying trees.
• More active during early morning and late afternoon, avoiding peak heat.

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Diet & Foraging Behavior

The Golden-backed Woodpecker is primarily insectivorous, feeding on:

• Ants and termites (main food source).
• Wood-boring beetle larvae.
• Spiders and other invertebrates.
• Tree sap and small fruits (occasionally).
• Insects found under tree bark, which it extracts using its long, sticky tongue.

Hunting Techniques

• Uses its strong beak to hammer into tree bark, exposing insects.
• Often forages in pairs or small family groups.
• Frequently seen climbing tree trunks in a spiral motion, scanning for food.
• Sometimes gleans insects from leaves and branches, unlike other woodpeckers.

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Breeding & Nesting

• Breeding Season: March to July, peaking in April-May.
• Nesting Sites: Prefers tree cavities in deadwood or soft-barked trees.
• Nesting Style: Digs a deep cavity, using its beak to chip away at softwood.
• Eggs: Typically 2–4 white eggs per clutch.
• Incubation Period: Around 16–19 days.
• Parental Care: Both parents share incubation and chick-feeding duties.

Nesting in Sundarban

• Prefers tall, mature mangrove trees or deadwood trunks.
• Nesting is more common in buffer zones, where tree density is higher.
• Competes with barbets and hornbills for cavity nesting sites.
• Nest sites are reused for multiple breeding seasons.

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Vocalization & Communication

• Call: A sharp “ki-ki-ki-ki” or “wik-wik-wik”, often heard in rapid bursts.
• Drumming: Produces fast, rhythmic tapping on tree trunks to attract mates and defend territory.
• Alarm Calls: A harsh, screeching call when disturbed.

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Conservation Status & Threats

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

Despite its widespread population, the species faces localized threats:

• Habitat destruction due to deforestation.
• Loss of nesting sites as deadwood is removed for firewood.
• Decline in insect populations due to pesticide use.
• Competition for tree cavities with other birds and squirrels.

Conservation Efforts in Sundarban

• Sundarban Tiger Reserve provides protected habitats for nesting.
• Mangrove restoration projects help maintain nesting and feeding grounds.
• Reduction of deforestation and logging ensures the availability of dead trees.
• Community awareness programs help reduce unnecessary tree cutting.

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Ecological Role in Sundarban

• Controls insect populations, especially ants and termites.
• Creates nesting cavities, benefiting parrots, owls, and other cavity-nesting species.
• Aids in tree decomposition, accelerating nutrient recycling in mangrove forests.
• Indicates forest health, as its presence signals a healthy insect ecosystem.

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Conclusion

The Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense) is a vibrant, adaptable, and ecologically vital bird, found in Sundarban’s buffer zones and beyond. With its brilliant golden plumage, rhythmic drumming, and agile tree-climbing abilities, it is a fascinating bird to observe.

Although not currently endangered, conservation efforts focused on forest protection, deadwood preservation, and reducing pesticide use will help maintain healthy populations in Sundarban and across South Asia. As a key insect controller and cavity creator, this woodpecker plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance in the mangrove ecosystem.