Bird
Black-rumped Flameback
Dinopium benghalenseAlso known as Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Goldenback
Black-rumped flamebacks bound across tree trunks with an energetic hitching motion, probing bark fissures for ants and insect larvae. Pairs frequently announce their presence with a sharp, whinnying rattle as they swoop in bounding, undulating flight between canopy perches. Readily adapting to human-modified landscapes, they are among the most familiar woodpeckers in South Asian city gardens, orchards, and roadside avenue trees.
VocalColorfulArboreal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyWeaver ants, Beetle larvae, Termites
Predators
- Shikra
- Besra
- Oriental Rat Snake
ThreatsRemoval of dead trees and old-growth nesting snags, along with pesticide use reducing insect prey
HabitatsOpen deciduous forests, scrublands, plantations, parks, and urban gardens
Life span6–10 years
Classification
- FamilyPicidae
- SpeciesDinopium benghalense
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Calls: Track down feeding birds by their shrill, whinnying flight rattles echoing through open groves.
- Inspect Large Trees: Search the lower trunks of mature mango, neem, or coconut trees where they forage methodically.
- Watch the Rump: Distinguish this bird from similar golden woodpeckers by spotting its distinct solid black lower back.
Image unavailableLook-alike Neighbor 
Prey (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by portioid · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Samuel Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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