Meiglyptes tristis grammithorax (Malherbe, 1862)

Taxonomic Classification

The zebra woodpecker (Meiglyptes tristis) is a bird species belonging to the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Java.

Natural Habitats and Conservation Status

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and it is classified as endangered.

Formal Species Description

American naturalist Thomas Horsfield formally described the zebra woodpecker in 1821, giving it the binomial name Picus tristis based on a specimen collected in Java. The specific epithet tristis is Latin, meaning "sad" or "gloomy".

Genus Placement

This species is currently placed in the genus Meiglyptes, which was first introduced by English naturalist William Swainson in 1837.

Taxonomic History

While the zebra woodpecker is currently treated as a monotypic species, it was previously considered to be the same species as the buff-rumped woodpecker, with the two classified as separate subspecies.

Modified Habitat Occurrence

Beyond its natural forest habitats, the zebra woodpecker also occurs in coconut, rubber, and silk plantations, villages adjacent to secondary forest, mangroves, and polyculture areas, and it is known to use disturbed habitats.

Habitat Classification Disagreement

There is scientific disagreement over whether the species occurs in primary and secondary forests.