Title
Ecology of rufous-bellied woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus in Himalayan oak forests
Author(s)
G. Shahabuddin; T. Menon; R. Chanda; R. Goswami
Published
2018
Publisher
Forktail
Abstract
The Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus is the only known sapsucking species occurring in Asia, found in moist temperate broadleaved forests of the Western Himalaya, a forest type threatened by degradation and conversion to other land uses. We studied the habitat selection of the species using point counts over 210 survey-hours in four field seasons between 2016–2018. Field measurement of forest structural variables, analysis of landscape composition and observations on foraging behaviour were carried out to ascertain the reasons for its habitat choice. The species showed a significant preference for dense oak forest over other forest types and land-use. Its occupancy of forest sites was strongly dependent on canopy cover, and showed a weak association with tree girth and the proportion of dense forest in the surrounding landscape. It forages primarily in the mid-storey of the forest, on medium and large trees, mainly on their trunks. Sap-wells created by the woodpecker were seen on nine tree species, and it was seen foraging on seven others. Based on its unique sapsucking behaviour, habitat selection and narrow altitudinal range (1,500–2,700 m), we suggest that the species may be a useful indicator of high-quality oak forest in the Himalaya. Given the prevailing high threat levels to its habitat we urge a review of the IUCN conservation status of the species.
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PUB26849