Freckle-breasted woodpecker
The Freckle-breasted woodpecker is a medium-sized, pied bird found across various forests in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It is characterized by its black and white barred upperparts, buff underparts with flank barring, and a distinctive red undertail.
Key Facts
- ›Found in Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
- ›Medium-sized, pied woodpecker with black and white barred upperparts.
- ›Underparts are buff with light flank barring and slight side streaking.
- ›Males have a red crown and orange forehead, while females have a black crown.
- ›Inhabits subtropical or tropical dry, moist lowland, and moist montane forests.
Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam
Pied Plumage, Heavily Barred White Upperparts, Red Undertail, Buff Underparts With Flank Barring, Male's Red Crown With Orange Forehead, Female's Black Crown
About Freckle-breasted woodpecker
The Freckle-breasted woodpecker (Dendrocopos analis) is a species of bird belonging to the woodpecker family, Picidae. This medium-sized, pied woodpecker is found across a range of forest habitats in Southeast Asia, with confirmed populations in Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Description and Identification
This species is characterized by its striking plumage. The upper parts of the Freckle-breasted woodpecker are predominantly black, featuring heavy white barring. Its underparts are a buff color, marked with light flank barring and subtle side streaking. A notable feature is its red undertail. Distinguishing between sexes is possible by observing the crown coloration: males exhibit a red crown complemented by an orange forehead, while females possess a black crown.
Habitat and Distribution
The natural habitats favored by the Freckle-breasted woodpecker include subtropical and tropical forests. Specifically, it thrives in dry forest environments as well as moist lowland and montane forest types. Its distribution spans across several countries in the Southeast Asian region, indicating an adaptability to various forest ecosystems.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main physical characteristics of the Freckle-breasted woodpecker?
The Freckle-breasted woodpecker is a medium-sized, pied bird with black upperparts heavily barred with white. Its underside is buff, featuring light flank barring and slight side streaking. A distinctive red undertail is also present.
Where is the Freckle-breasted woodpecker typically found?
This species is distributed across Southeast Asia, inhabiting countries such as Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It prefers various types of forest environments within these regions.
How can the male and female Freckle-breasted woodpeckers be distinguished?
The primary difference lies in the coloration of their heads. Male Freckle-breasted woodpeckers possess a red crown with an orange forehead, whereas females have a completely black crown.
What types of habitats does the Freckle-breasted woodpecker prefer?
The natural habitats favored by this woodpecker include subtropical or tropical dry forests, as well as subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests. These environments provide the necessary resources for foraging and nesting.
Related Woodpecker species

Fulvous-breasted woodpecker
The Fulvous-breasted woodpecker is a medium-sized, pied bird found across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It is characterized by its black and white barred upperparts, red undertail, and buff-colored breast and belly, with males displaying a red crown and females a black one.
Laced woodpecker
The Laced woodpecker (Picus vittatus) is a bird species found across Southeast Asia, inhabiting various forest types including dry, moist lowland, mangrove, and montane forests. It is recognized by its distinctive plumage and is a common sight in its native range.
Grey-capped pygmy woodpecker
The grey-capped pygmy woodpecker is a small, dark Asian bird belonging to the woodpecker family. It is characterized by its grey crown, red nape in males, and prominent dark streaking on its buff underside. Its range spans from the Himalayas and Manchuria to Southeast Asia, inhabiting various forest types.