Species of the Month: Lesser Yellownape Woodpecker

Common Name: Lesser Yellownape

Scientific Name: Picus chlorolophus

IUCN Red List: Least Concern

CITES: Not Listed

Wildlife Protection Act of India 1972 (Amended 2023): Schedule II

Population trend: Stable

While surveying the oak forests of the Gadoli Fee Simple Estate, the bright flash of yellow caught the corner of my eye. I trained my binoculars to the oak canopy and zoomed in to the culprit. It was a Lesser Yellownape Woodpecker, one of the many woodpecker species found in the oak forests of the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates.

The Lesser Yellownape Woodpecker, is a medium – sized woodpecker. It is a widespread species with a large distributional range and is found in South and Southeast Asia. It is characterized by a bright, yellow crest, a greenish coloured body and and a white chest with bars. It nests in tree holes and has zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward.

The Yellownape Woodpecker breeds between February to July in India. It lays 3 - 4 eggs and both sexes incubate and feed the chicks

While the species is relatively widespread, it faces increasing threats due to the loss of habitat in the central Himalayas of the western Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Here forest fires, illicit felling and lopping of trees and habitat fragmentation are driving this species towards local extinctions.

Conservation Action: The Gadoli and Manda Khal Wildlife Conservation Trust is working actively on-ground to protect coniferous and broadleaved habitats of the Lesser Yellownape Woodpecker in the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates. Foot-patrols to curb illicit tree felling, lopping and illegal cutting of natural regeneration are conducted regularly to secure habitat for the species.

Sources:

IUCN Red List

CITES

WLPA 1972 (2023)