Crimson-backed flameback explained

The crimson-backed flameback or greater Sri Lanka flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi) is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae that is endemic to Sri Lanka.

The crimson-backed flameback and the greater flameback (Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus) were both formerly considered as subspecies of the buff-spotted flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus).^{[1] [2]}

Nigel Collar (2011, p. 33) notes the differences between Chrysocolaptes stricklandi and Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus as being that the former has a crimson rather than golden upper body plumage, a yellow rather than a black beak, a weaker supramoustachial stripe and a less noticeable, even spotty, eyebrow stripe.^[3]

Notes

It takes its latin name (formerly Brachypternus Stricklandi) from Hugh Edwin Strickland (see Layard 1854 p. 29).

Notes and References

1. Book: Rasmussen . Pamela C. . Pamela C. Rasmussen . Anderton . John C. . 2012 . Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide . 2: Attributes and Status . 2nd . Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and Lynx Edicions . Washington D.C. and Barcelona . 978-84-96553-87-3 . 290 .
2. Web site: Gill . Frank . Frank Gill (ornithologist) . Donsker . David . Rasmussen . Pamela . Pamela Rasmussen . 2020 . Woodpeckers . IOC World Bird List Version 10.1 . International Ornithologists' Union . 26 May 2020 .
3. Collar, N.J. . 2011 . Species limits in some Philippine birds including the Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus . Forktail . 27 . 29–38.