Scientific Name : Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Family : Picidae
Order : Piciformes
Class : Aves
Phylum : Chordata
Other Name : Himalayan Great Slaty Woodpecker
Habitat : Tropical, broadleaved evergreen and moist-deciduous forests, especially Sal and foothill forests.
Description : The great slaty woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in the world, measuring 48-58 cm long and weighing 360-563 g. It has a distinctive appearance, with a long chisel-tipped bill, elongated neck, and long tail. Its plumage is mostly dark grey or blackish slate-grey with small white spots, and males have a red moustache. It has a weak, quiet voice compared to other large woodpeckers and its call is a whinnying cackle of 2 to 5 notes. The species is found in Southeast Asia and is readily distinguishable from other woodpeckers due to its size and structure. The Great Slaty Woodpecker is a social bird that lives in groups of 3 to 6 individuals, consisting of a breeding pair and their young from prior years. They primarily feed on ants and other social insects, and occasionally small fruits, by foraging in large branches or trunks of large, living trees. They engage in displays, largely for territorial purposes, and breed cooperatively in large tree nests. The pair bond appears to be lifelong and they stay in contact by vocalizing regularly. The young probably stay with their parents until the next breeding season.
Distribution in Bangladesh
References:
description written by:Hajbun Tasnim Preety,Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka;information source: Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol-26, iucnredlist.org;taxonomic checklist:P. M. Thompson and S. U. Chowdhury (2020). A checklist of birds of Bangladesh.Birds Bangladesh;photo credit: robbythai(www.inaturalist.org/people/robbythai),photo shared from iNaturalist, photo copyright reserved according to iNaturalist rules;Will Sweetmore information, please contact us.