I recently described the feeding technique of the Checker-throated Woodpecker Chrysophlegma mentale (Amar-Singh HSS 2023). On 22nd May 2023 I had another extended opportunity (25 minutes) to observe the feeding behaviour of a pair of Checker-throated Woodpeckers. As seen before, and noted in the literature, the birds explore cavities or do surface gleaning for prey; cavities were preferred.
I was also able to document frugivory (fruit feeding) by the Checker-throated Woodpecker. I saw both birds feeding on the fruit of the Trema orientalis. Photographic observation was difficult as the birds sat on the bushy crown of the tree and were often obscured. But feeding was rapid with many fruits taken. Fortunately, one image documented the fruit being taken (see image 1).
The birds also visited two fruiting Ficus trees (one had unripe fruit, see image 2; the other had ripe fruit) but I was not able to see any fruit feeding.
In the past I have reported the Checker-throated Woodpecker feed on the fruit of a Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea) (Amar-Singh HSS 2022).
Wells (2007) does not describe any frugivory for the region. On the diet, Gorman (2014) mentions “sometimes berries” but provides no details of the type or identification. I reviewed online images, including the Macaulay Library, and found one more fruit feeding documentation (apart from mine) – an image by Chun-Fai Lo (2019) of a Checker-throated Woodpecker feeding on Giant Mahang.
The documentation supports that Checker-throated Woodpeckers feed on a number of different fruit types. More work is required in this area.
In the past, I have also observed the Crimson-winged Woodpecker (Picus puniceus observandus) and Banded Woodpecker (Picus miniaceus malaccense) feeding on the fruit of the Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea) (see Amar-Singh HSS 2015).
References:
- Amar-Singh HSS (2023). Checker-throated Woodpecker Chrysophlegma mentale Feeding Technique. Bird Ecology Study Group. https://besgroup.org/2023/03/10/checker-throated-woodpecker-chrysophlegma-mentale-feeding-technique/
- Amar-Singh HSS (2023). New species observed feeding on Giant Mahang fruit. Bird Ecology Study Group. https://besgroup.org/2022/01/20/new-species-observed-feeding-on-giant-mahang-fruit/
- Wells, D.R. (1999). The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 1 (Non-Passerines). Christopher Helm, London.
- Gorman, G. (2014). Woodpeckers of the World. The Complete Guide. Christopher Helm, London, UK.
- Chun-Fai Lo (2019). Image of a Checker-throated Woodpecker feeding on Giant Mahang fruit at Gunung Panti RF, Johor, Malaysia. Macaulay Library. https://search.macaulaylibrary.org/catalog?taxonCode=chtwoo1&mediaType=photo&sort=rating_rank_desc&userId=USER504869
- Amar-Singh HSS (2015). Frugivory by Woodpeckers: Crimson-winged and Banded. Bird Ecology Study Group. https://besgroup.org/2015/10/11/frugivory-by-woodpeckers-crimson-winged-and-banded/
