Red-backed Flameback

Widespread, medium-sized woodpecker with a bright red back and three toes. Endemic to Sri Lanka. Associated with home gardens, plantations, and most wooded habitats except for dense tropical forest. Separated from all other flamebacks except Black-rumped by dark throat, lack of a contrasting black horizontal stripe below the cheek, and its distinctive call. Separated from Black-rumped by its spectacular red back. Male has a complete red cap while the female has a black and white spotted forehead. Often detected by its loud “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki,” which steadily increases in pace and ends in a trill.

The Red-backed flameback thrives in a variety of habitats, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist lowland forests, and mangrove forests. It is also a common sight in manmade environments such as home gardens and can be observed up to elevations of 1,500 meters.

In Sri Lanka, the Red-backed Flameback primarily feeds on ants, particularly carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) and the larvae and pupae of Asian weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), along with other invertebrates like spiders, caterpillars, weevils, and beetles; occasionally supplementing their diet with some fruits for added nutrients and fiber.