Rufous-bellied Woodpecker

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker (Dendrocopos hyperythrus) is a very rare bird in Thailand. It used to be much more common and widespread in the past, but has heavily declined due to the logging of lowland deciduous forest which is the species’ primary habitat. There are 2 disjunct populations in Thailand, the nominate in the north-west, and the race “annamensis” in the east. However, all confirmed sightings within the past 20 years have only been from the north-west.

Ever since I started birding in the year 2000, the first record of Rufous-bellied Woodpecker in Thailand that I was aware of was a female that was present at Mae Ping National Park in Lamphun between December 2014 and January 2015. Unfortunately, I was not able to go see that bird as I was living in Japan at the time. There are also specimens of this species collected in Thailand including 4 birds that were collected in Hot district, Chiang Mai on 4 November 1962 by Kitti Thonglongya (https://ebird.org/checklist/S94652593). I also know that people have seen this species in Pang Mapha district, Mae Hong Son as well. Personally, I’ve seen this species in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh in India, Mount Victoria in Mynamar, and Western Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia, where the species seemed to be relatively common.

My first encounter with a Rufous-bellied Woodpecker in Thailand was a very odd one. While birding along the road towards the viewpoint on the eastern slope of Doi Lang, Chiang Mai on 22 December 2022, I spotted a bird flying head-on towards me and at least 3 other observers. I immediately recognised it as a medium-sized woodpecker by the heavily undulating flight. The bird was seen in perfect light with the sun behind us and clear blue sky in the background. As the bird was about the fly over us, it then decided to turn to our right flashing the bright rufous underparts contrasting to the black wings with clear white stripes. Unfortunately, the bird flew further into the forest and we did not see where it landed. I then tried using tape playback, but there was no response. The habitat was forest edge between montane evergreen forest and open grassland with sparse tall trees at approximately 1,900 m above sea level. While the habitat is unsual for Thailand as all previous records were from dry deciduous forest, it seems to be typical for the populations that I’ve seen in Myanmar and India. I still regret not being able to get any evidence of that bird.

Then on 23 December 2024, while leading a group with Akekachoke Buranaanun at Ban Sop Soi in Mae Hong Son, I was finally able to find and photograph a male Rufous-bellied Woodpecker that was joining a mixed-species flock consisted of other dry deciduous forest birds like Common Woodshrike, White-browed Fantail, and Black-headed Woodpecker. We were all super excited as no one had photographed this species in Thailand since 2015, and it was also the first time that a male bird was photographed in Thailand. My friend, Patrawut Sitifong, later visited the site on 1 January 2025 and located 3 birds including 2 males and 1 female. At the time, we were still unsure of the seasonal status of this population as the species has been recorded to migrate in winter as well. However, I visited the site again on 20 May 2025 and managed to find and photograph another male bird which suggested that the species is resident in this area. Likely the same bird was present on 7 June 2025 and 18 August 2025 confirming that it is indeed resident.

The forest around Ban Sop Soi is one of the most well-preserved patches of dry deciduous forest that I’ve visited in northern Thailand. It is home to species that have declined or disappeared from most places in Thailand like the White-browed Fantail, Common Woodshrike, Burmese Nuthatch, Collared Falconet, and White-rumped Falcon. Other significant birds that I’ve found include White-bellied Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Small Minivet, and Oriental Pied-Hornbill which is locally rare in northern Thailand. On 2 July 2026, a male Streak-throated Woodpecker, another extremely rare woodpecker in Thailand, was also reported by Uthai Treesucon. It is another species that I expected to also occur at the site. I’ll definitely try to find it on my next visit to Mae Hong Son.