Greater Flameback
Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
The Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus) is a uncommon woodpecker found in 13 countries, weighing about 166 g. The greater flameback, also known as the greater goldenback or large golden-backed woodpecker, is a woodpecker species.
About the Greater Flameback
The greater flameback, also known as the greater goldenback or large golden-backed woodpecker, is a woodpecker species. It occurs widely in the northern Indian subcontinent, eastwards to southern China, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, western and central Java and northeast Borneo.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The greater flameback is a large woodpecker, at 33 cm in length. It is of typical woodpecker shape, and has an erect crest and a long neck. Coloration is highly variable between subspecies; it always has unmarked golden-yellow to dark brown back and wings. The rump is red and the tail is black. The underparts are white with dark markings (chevrons, stripes, or bands), or light brown. The head is whitish with a black pattern, or it is yellow, brown, or red.
What the Greater Flameback sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Greater Flameback?
- The greater flameback is a large woodpecker, at 33 cm in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Greater Flameback?
- The Greater Flameback is a medium sized bird weighing about 166 g.
- Where can you see a Greater Flameback?
- The Greater Flameback occurs in 13 countries, including India, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal and Vietnam.
- What does a Greater Flameback sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Greater Flameback on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Greater Flameback?
- The Greater Flameback is most easily confused with the White-naped Woodpecker, the Malabar Flameback and the Crimson-backed Flameback.
Learn the Greater Flameback for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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