Black-rumped Flameback

A common, “small-billed” golden-backed woodpecker with four toes. Endemic to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. Associated with every lowland wooded habitat except dense tropical forest, it often follows degradation into higher elevations. Separated from all other flamebacks except Red-backed by dark throat, lack of a contrasting black horizontal stripe below the cheek, and four toes. Separated from Red-backed by golden back and black shoulder. Often detected by its loud “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki,” which steadily increases in pace and ends in a trill.

In Sri Lanka, the Black-rumped Flameback can be found in most lowland wooded habitats, particularly in open woodlands, light forests, groves around villages, old wooded gardens, tree plantations along roads, and coconut plantations, generally avoiding dense tropical forests and arid regions; they can be seen in coastal areas of Northern Sri Lanka as well.

AI Overview Learn more In Sri Lanka, the Black-rumped Flameback primarily feeds on insects, particularly ants (especially red ants and their larvae/pupae), beetles, and other small invertebrates which it extracts from tree bark using its long, sticky tongue; occasionally supplementing its diet with fruits and nectar depending on availability.