Crimson-winged Woodpecker
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
15 Dec 2005


General details
Species Crimson-winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus
Record ID 10028
Date 15 Dec 2005
Location Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Count 1 individual
Age Adult
Related records 1068, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1160
Date added 13 Nov 2021

Record accepted.

Committee's view
Background
Detailed descriptions of the observation submitted to the Records Committee, with features including, quote: "a predominantly green and red woodpecker, red crown and wings, with green back and belly, and striking yellow crest also noted"; "the belly of the bird I had seen was completely green with no barring".
Vote results For: 8
Wild: 8
Verdict Accepted / Wild (Verifiable)

References (see all)
References eBird
Wang & Hails (2007) Record is absent in source
Lim (2009) Record is present in source

Descriptions
Identification
I was sitting on a bench at Gaharu Hut and observed a bird fly onto a low branch (approx 1m above the ground) approximately 3 metres from me, perched for ~5 seconds before diving back into the undergrowth. This was enough time to observe the key features well - a predominantly green and red woodpecker, red crown and wings, with green back and belly, and striking yellow crest also noted. At the time I did not know what species it was - I checked my bird book (Birds: A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, by Morten Strange) and could not find a good fit. The nearest species was Banded Woodpecker but I couldn’t reconcile the belly colour - the belly of the bird I had seen was completely green with no barring. I left it as unidentified in my notes while noting its similarity to Banded Woodpecker. I then forgot about it for a couple of years until I read some discussion on the Wildbird Singapore Yahoo group about a lone Crimson-winged Woodpecker that had been seen sporadically at BTNR over a period of some years. I checked out some photos of the bird online and realised that this was the bird I had seen.
Habitat/behaviour
As noted above, seen perched briefly and then in flight briefly as it flew back into the low trees and bushes near Gaharu Hut.
Viewing conditions
Fine weather. Low light conditions due to the fairly dense canopy, but close proximity to the bird meant there was no difficulty in clearly observing key features and colouring.
Observer's experience
None, hence the delay in obtaining a positive identification
Observer's experience w/similar species
None. At the time I had not even seen Banded Woodpecker before although have since observed this species on multiple occasions

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (2021). Record 10028: Crimson-winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://records.singaporebirds.com/record/10028/.

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