Found from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia and into Indonesia, this bird is a true heavyweight of the woodpecker family, often spotted in tall forests where it hammers away at massive tree trunks. At nearly half a meter in length, it is second only to giants like the Great slaty woodpecker in size, making it an unmistakable figure when it swoops across the canopy or clings to a tree.
What sets the White-bellied woodpecker apart is its elegant color scheme. Most of its plumage is a glossy black, which makes its bright white belly stand out in sharp contrast—almost like a tuxedo for the forest stage. Males wear a brilliant red crown, while females sport a more modest black crown, though both are equally impressive. Its powerful bill, pale and chisel-shaped, is built to drill into even the hardest of trees, searching for beetle larvae, ants, and other insects hidden beneath the bark. The loud, resonant drumming it produces echoes through the forest, a deep rolling sound that can be heard from far away, almost like a forest heartbeat.
Unlike some of its smaller, fast-tapping cousins, the White-bellied woodpecker is known for its measured, powerful strikes. It takes its time, hammering deeply into tree trunks and leaving large, oval holes as signs of its presence. These cavities often become homes for other forest creatures once abandoned, making this woodpecker an important ecosystem architect. Its preference for tall, mature trees also makes it a key indicator of forest health: if you see one, you know the forest is still thriving.
Distribution
Brunei
Cambodia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Official estimate
Korea
Official estimate
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
North Korea
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
