Fun White-bellied Woodpecker Facts For Kids
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The white-bellied woodpecker is a species of woodpecker found on the continent of Asia and is thought to be the largest amongst all the Asiatic woodpeckers.
Ranging all over India, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and North Korea, this species has around 15 subspecies.
They are the Indian white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis hodgsonii), the Korean white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis richardsi), the north Myanmar and southwest China white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis forresti), the Thailand and Myanmar white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis fedden), the south Thailand and Borneo white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis javensis), Simeulue Island white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis parvus), the Palawan white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis hargitti), the Luzon white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis confusus), the Mindoro white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis mindorensis), the central Philippines white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis philippinensis), the Sulu Island white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis suluensis), the southeastern Philippines white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis multilunatus), the eastern Philippines white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis pectoralis), the Cebu Island white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis cebuensis), and the Dryocopus javensis esthloterus.
Want to learn more about these woodpeckers, which are also called great black woodpeckers? Read on! For more relatable content, check out these pale-billed woodpecker facts and white-headed woodpecker facts for kids.
White-bellied Woodpecker Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a white-bellied woodpecker?
The white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis), also known as the great black woodpecker, is a species of woodpecker that is considered to be the largest of the Asiatic woodpecker species. Known for the coloration of the belly that is white, they are among the most common species of woodpecker found in the Indian subcontinent and in southeast Asia.
What class of animal does a white-bellied woodpecker belong to?
Being a species of bird, the white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) belongs to the Aves class of animals. This great black woodpecker belongs to the family of Picidae and to the genus Dryocopus, with their scientific name being Dryocopus javensis.
How many white-bellied woodpeckers are there in the world?
Unfortunately, due to the different distribution and extent of the various subspecies of white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis), their exact population is not really known. However, recent research has suggested that the white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) is in decline in its natural habitat range, with many subspecies showing a significant decrease.
For example, the North Korean white-bellied woodpecker is thought to have fewer than 100 breeding pairs. This is thought to be mainly due to a loss of habitat.
Where does a white-bellied woodpecker live?
The white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) is found in evergreen forests of tropical zones in Asia. However, they differ in the distribution and extent in their native ranges due to the various subspecies.
The Indian white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis hodgsonii) is found in the Western and Eastern Ghats of India, while the Korean white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis richardsi) was earlier found in Japan and is now limited to Korea. Southeast Asian countries also have a large population and distribution of the great black woodpecker.
The North Myanmar white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis forresti) can also be spotted in southwest China, with another subspecies of the great black woodpecker, Dryocopus javensis fedden, inhabiting areas of Thailand and parts of Myanmar.
The south Thailand and Borneo white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis javensis) extend their range to Bali, Java, and other islands nearby. Off the coast of northwest Sumatra, the Simeulue Island white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis parvus) is found. The Philippines plays host to the Palawan white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis hargitti), along with the Luzon white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis confusus).
Most of the other subspecies are all found in different parts of the Philippines: the eastern Philippines white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis pectoralis), the southeastern Philippines white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis multilunatus), the Sulu Island white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis suluensis), the central Philippines white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis philippinensis), and the Mindoro white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis mindorensis).
Of the two remaining subspecies of the great black woodpecker, Dryocopus javensis esthloterus, is also found in the Philippines, while the Cebu Island white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis cebuensis) is now thought to be extinct!
Many of the island forms are endangered in their native habitats.
What is a white-bellied woodpecker's habitat?
The white-bellied woodpecker's habitat is mainly moist evergreen and deciduous tropical forests in their range. They can, however, also be found in montane forests, forest edges, bamboo forests, and secondary forests.
The white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) was earlier thought to be found in mangroves. These birds build their nest in large dead trees, often beside rivers and streams.
In regards to the elevation reached and inhabited, the white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) is usually found between 1,968.5-11,482.9 ft (600-3,500 m). These birds can sometimes be seen near coffee plantations and rubber plantations.
Who do white-bellied woodpeckers live with?
The white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) is a species of bird that is usually solitary in nature. They can be seen in pairs during the breeding season. However, there have been occasions where the white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) has been seen in flocks of four to six birds.
How long does a white-bellied woodpecker live?
Unfortunately, the information regarding the lifespan of the white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) is not known. On average, woodpeckers like the great spotted woodpecker live for around 11 years.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding season of the white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) is different in the various regions it inhabits. For example, Indian white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) breeds between January and March, while most of the Philippines white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) subspecies reproduce and mate during the months of March and May.
The male white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) indulges in some displays of courtship. The pair will also build the nest in large dead trees before the female lays the eggs.
The clutch size is usually two but can rise up to four. Both white-bellied woodpecker parents incubate the eggs for 14 days, with the male bird taking over incubation duties during the evening. The young birds will usually fledge in around four weeks.
What is their conservation status?
While the conservation status of the white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) is classified as of Least Concern by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature, it is thought that many of the island forms are endangered.
White-bellied Woodpecker Fun Facts
What do white-bellied woodpeckers look like?
The appearance of the white-bellied woodpecker is quite unique. They have a red tuft of feathers on their head, with the males having reddish streaks on their throat and forehead. This latter characteristic is missing in females.
Apart from this, the entire back and the upper parts are black in coloration. The thing that makes them stand out is the white belly or the underparts. The beak of the species and the subspecies are dull-black and the iris are yellowish.
How cute are they?
With their red-tufted head and white belly, they are among the most unique-looking woodpeckers out there. Of course, there are many people who find them to be cute.
How do they communicate?
The white-bellied woodpeckers communicate with each other via loud calls and drumming noises. Their calls include a loud, single 'kiyow', 'kyah', 'kiauk' or 'keer' sound. There are some long calls like 'kek-ek-ek-ek-ek' or 'kiau kiau kiau kiau kiau', along with the drumming noises produced by both sexes.
How big is a white-bellied woodpecker?
This species is considered to be one of the largest of the Asiatic woodpeckers. They can grow up to a length of 15.7-18.9 in (40-48 cm), which is still smaller than the imperial woodpeckers who are thought to be the largest woodpeckers in the world.
How fast can a white-bellied woodpecker fly?
We do not know the exact flying speed of the white-bellied woodpecker.
How much does a white-bellied woodpecker weigh?
The weight of the white-bellied woodpecker varies between 6.9-12.2 oz (197-347 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
There are no distinct names for the male and female birds of this species.
What would you call a baby white-bellied woodpecker?
A young white-bellied woodpecker could be called a juvenile or a nestling.
What do they eat?
Being omnivores, white-bellied woodpeckers (Dryocopus javensis) usually feed on insects, termites, beetles, ants, and also on certain fruits.
Are they dangerous?
No, these birds aren't dangerous at all.
Would they make a good pet?
Due to the white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) naturally being a wild bird, there haven't been too many instances of them domesticated by humans.
Did you know...
The Indian white-bellied woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis hodgsonii) is sometimes considered to be a different species, altogether.
Different types of woodpecker
There are many different types of woodpeckers that are found in different parts of the world, like Asia and North America. Some of the species are lesser spotted woodpeckers, brown-speckled woodpeckers, flickers, and sapsuckers amongst others.
Why is it called white-bellied woodpecker?
The white-bellied woodpecker is called so because of the distinctly white underparts of the species.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our lineated woodpecker fun facts and golden-fronted woodpecker interesting facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable laced woodpecker coloring pages.
Second image by Uday Kiran.
White-bellied Woodpecker Facts
What Did They Prey On?
Insects, ants, termites, beetlesWhat Type of Animal were they?
OmnivoreAverage Litter Size?
2-4How Much Did They Weigh?
6.9-12.2 oz (197-347 g)What habitat Do they Live In?
evergreen forestsWhere Do They Live?
india, brunei, cambodia, china, indonesia, thailand, borneo, north korea, japan, laos, myanmarHow Long Were They?
15.7-18.9 in (40-48 cm)How Tall Were They?
N/AClass
AvesGenus
DryocopusFamily
PicidaeScientific Name
Dryocopus javensisWhat Do They Look Like?
Black, red, whiteSkin Type
FeathersWhat Are Their Main Threats?
loss of habitatWhat is their Conservation Status?
Least Concern
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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