Nomenclature: the problem of vernacular names

A universal agreement amongst ornithologists on which taxonomy to use in the classification of birds still eludes us. Furthermore, there is still disagreement on which English vernacular names to use and this is valid for the woodpeckers, too. This problem is partly due to the global diversity of the English language and a standardization of names does not seem to be on the horizon. Indeed, total conformity in English nomenclature is probably unrealistic. The solution for most when discussing the picids (to establish exactly which species is being discussed) is to refer to the scientific name of the species (often called the Latin name, though strictly speaking that is incorrect) as there is more (but not total) conformity in the use of scientific names. There are may examples of woodpeckers having more than one English name as even a brief perusal of the literature will reveal. For example, in India the Flamebacks are also often called "Goldenbacks". A particularly confusing example is "Grey-headed" versus "Grey-faced" Woodpecker. Most European literature, and the vast majority of ornithologists and birders, refer to the Eurasian Picus canus as Grey-headed Woodpecker, however the African species Dendropicos spodocephalus is also widely called Grey-headed Woodpecker (the IOC have named it Eastern Grey Woodpecker). Photo of Grey-faced Woodpecker, Austria, Thomas Hochebner.

Genus: Chrysocolaptes

The Chrysocolaptes genus contains just 2 species. The first, Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus has 13 races across SE Asia. White-naped Woodpecker C. festivus has 2 races, one in India and one in Sri Lanka.  Photo: Male Greater Flameback just taken off from a tree in the Corbett NP, Northern India, Gerard Gorman.

Picid in Focus: Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus

This handsome species is found in upland mixed and broadleaved forests in SE Asia from Pakistan through northern India, Nepal, Burma, parts of China and south into Thailand and Indochina. There are four races and some populations are migratory. It is also rather confiding and approachable. Photo: Female marshalli race, Pangot, Uttarakhand, India, Gerard Gorman.

Picid in Focus: Brown-backed Woodpecker Dendropicos obsoletus

This small woodpecker is found in the bushy and scrubby savanna belt of sub-Saharan Africa in Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zaire, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. It also occurs in semi-urban areas. Four races are recognised: obsoletus, heuglini, ingens and crateri. They differ in size, darkness of the mantle and back and amount of streaking on the underparts. Photo: Male nominate race, Gambia, Vaughan Ashby.

Genus: Dendropicos

The Dendropicos genus comprises 15 small species that are all found in forests and woodlands in sub-Saharan Africa. All are basically green-coloured on the upper parts with pale underparts often barred. Sexual dimorphism is shown in plumage with males having red on the crown or nape which females lack. Some species, eg. Abysinian Woodpecker, Stierling's Woodpecker, Elliot's Woodpecker, have restricted ranges are are rather understudied. Photo: Male Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens, Gambia, Vaughan Ashby.

Picid in Focus: Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei.

This is a polytypic species with 5 races (macei, westermani, andamanensis, longipennis and analis). It is a typical arboreal, medium-sized 'pied' woodpecker, some 18-19cm long. The male has a red crown (as in the photo here) and the female a black crown. It occurs in parts of the Indian subcontinent and SE Asia where it is locally not uncommon in open mixed woodlands, forest edges and wooded cultivated land. Photo: Male Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Northern India, Szabolcs Kokay.