Lesser Yellownape
Picus chlorolophus
The Lesser Yellownape (Picus chlorolophus) is a uncommon woodpecker found in 14 countries, weighing about 65 g. The lesser yellownape is a type of woodpecker which is a widespread and often common breeder in tropical and sub-tropical Asia, primarily the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
About the Lesser Yellownape
The lesser yellownape is a type of woodpecker which is a widespread and often common breeder in tropical and sub-tropical Asia, primarily the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It ranges from India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka eastwards to Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Much of the scientific knowledge gathered about this species is sourced from formal studies in various parts of India.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The lesser yellownape is a largish species at 27 cm in length. It has a typical woodpecker shape. The upperparts are green apart from the bright yellow tufted nape. The neck and breast are green and the belly is whitish, finely barred with green. The rump and tail are blackish. The adult male lesser yellownape has a green head with a white throat. He has red markings above the eye and above the nape, and red moustachial stripes. Females have only a red patch above the ear coverts. Young birds are like the female, but duller. The subspecies occurring in peninsular India has a greyer head.
What the Lesser Yellownape sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Pakistan.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Lesser Yellownape?
- The lesser yellownape is a largish species at 27 cm in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Lesser Yellownape?
- The Lesser Yellownape is a medium sized bird weighing about 65 g.
- Where can you see a Lesser Yellownape?
- The Lesser Yellownape occurs in 14 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand and Bhutan.
- What does a Lesser Yellownape sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Lesser Yellownape on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Lesser Yellownape?
- The Lesser Yellownape is most easily confused with the Streak-throated Woodpecker, the Laced Woodpecker and the Japanese Green Woodpecker.
- Is the Lesser Yellownape endangered?
- The Lesser Yellownape is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Lesser Yellownape 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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