Andaman woodpecker
| Andaman woodpecker | ||||||||||
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Andaman woodpecker (male) |
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| Dryocopus hodgei | ||||||||||
| ( Blyth , 1860) |
The Andamanenspecht ( Dryocopus hodgei ) is a species of bird from the family of woodpeckers (Picidae). This large species of woodpecker is endemic to the Andaman Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean . It is tied to ancient, evergreen tropical forests and mangroves . As far as is known, the food consists of ants. The species is still considered common, but the population is likely to be declining due to habitat destruction and due to the rapidly growing population, this habitat destruction is very likely to increase further. The Andaman woodpecker is therefore classified by the IUCN as a type of the warning list ("near threatened").
description
The Andaman woodpecker is a typical representative of the genus Dryocopus and is very similar in habit and color to the black woodpecker, which is also native to Central Europe . Andaman woodpeckers are large and generally very dark colored woodpeckers with a long and stiff tail that is bent forward towards the tip and a pronounced feather hood. The beak is long, chisel-shaped and pointed and broad at the base. The nostrils are feathered. The body length is about 38 cm, the weight 156–225 g; the species is thus in size between the green woodpecker and black woodpecker.
The species shows a clear sexual dimorphism in terms of coloration . In males, the forehead, skull, bonnet and beard stripe are bright red, all the rest of the plumage is monochrome grayish black to ash-black. The beak is blackish, legs and toes are slate gray. The iris is pale yellow, the eye ring is greyish. In the females, the red color is limited to the back of the skull and the hood. No subspecies are recognized.
Vocalizations
A loud, babbling “kuk kuk kuk” is known , which ends with a whistling “kui” . Loud, sharp calls like “kik, kik, kik” are also described. Andaman woodpeckers drum loudly, the drum rolls can be heard from a great distance.
distribution and habitat
This species of woodpecker is endemic to the Andaman Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean . The size of the total distribution area is not known. The species is bound to old, evergreen tropical forests and mangroves , and the populated forests are often quite open.
Way of life
The species is found in pairs or in loose family groups. The foraging takes place mainly on the trunks or dead strong branches of large trees, but also on the ground. As far as is known, the food consists of ants, which are mainly preyed on by powerful chopping.
The breeding season extends from January to March. The caves are created at a height of 6-14 m in trunks or large branches of dead trees, the clutch consists of two eggs. Further information on the breeding biology is not yet available.
Existence and endangerment
There is no information on the size of the population. The species is still considered common, but the population is likely to be declining due to habitat destruction and due to the rapidly growing population, this habitat destruction is very likely to increase further. The Andaman woodpecker is therefore classified by the IUCN as a type of the warning list ("near threatened").
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ BirdLife International: Species Factsheet - Andaman Woodpecker ( Dryocopus hodgei ) . Retrieved June 22, 2011.
literature
- Hans Winkler , David Christie and David Nurney: Woodpeckers. A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets, and Wrynecks of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge 1995, ISBN 0-395-72043-5 , pp. 134-135 and 343.
Web links
- Dryocopus hodgei in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed June 22, 2011th
Other web links
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Dryocopus hodgei in the Internet Bird Collection