Picid in Focus: Nubian Woodpecker female

Female Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica. Note lack of red malar. Photo by Simon Walkley, Kenya, 2012.

Literature: Smithsonian Field Guide

The Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America by Ted Floyd (Harper Collins, 2008) has a superb cover photo of a Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus. A total of 22 picid species (woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers) are covered in the book with fine photographs and range maps.   

Photos Needed !

I posted a while ago a request for photos for my forthcoming book on world woodpeckers (see info in the left-hand column here). One change is that sample photos can now be sent directly to me in small jpgs. In particular, woodpecker species from Africa and South & Central America are needed. Both sexes, distinct races, juveniles, interesting poses, behaviour shots, all are needed. Thanks. Gerard Gorman. 

Genus: Hemicircus

This genus contains two species that occur in SE Asia: Grey-and-buff Woodpecker H.concretus and Heart-spotted Woodpecker H.canente. They are both small, agile, dainty and have prominent crests. Photo of male Heart-spotted Woodpecker taken in Goa, India, by Peter Basterfield. 

Woodpecker Flight

The line 'typical woodpecker flight' is often used in the literature. It is used to describe a bounding, undulating flight style. However, many woodpeckers do not fly in this way. The larger species in particular do not bound but rather move in a fairly straight, steady line, flapping in a manner not unlike that of a crow. Black Woodpecker in flight taken by Colin Brown, Hungary, August 2012. 

Picid in Focus: Jamaican Woodpecker

Male (note all-red crown) Jamaican Woodpecker Melanerpes radiolatus. Photo of this island endemic taken by Neil Bowman. This species will raise 2 or 3 broods a year and its holes provide cavities for various parrots, martins and other birds.