Mulleripicus fulvus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

The ashy woodpecker, with the scientific name Mulleripicus fulvus, is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae.

Endemic Range

It is endemic to Sulawesi and the surrounding islands of Indonesia.

Subspecies Count

This species has two recognized subspecies.

Nominate Subspecies Distribution

The nominate subspecies, M. f. fulvus, occurs in northern Sulawesi, the islands of Lembeh and Manterawu, and the Togian and Banggai archipelagos.

M. f. wallacei Distribution and Etymology

The second subspecies, M. f. wallacei, is found in southern Sulawesi and the islands of Muna and Buton, and is named after collector and scientist Alfred Russel Wallace.

Primary Habitat Types

Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forests.

Habitat Tolerance

While it prefers closed forest, it can also be found in secondary forest and patches of forest within savannah.

Movement and Elevation Range

It is assumed to be non-migratory, and occurs from sea level up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) elevation.

Conservation Status

The species is not uncommon and is currently considered secure.

Size

The ashy woodpecker is a large woodpecker, reaching 40 cm (16 in) in total length.

Male Plumage

Males have red colouration from the face to the mid-crown, with grey on the back of the head and neck.

Body Plumage

The throat, front of the neck, and belly are buff-coloured, and the remaining parts of the back and wings are grey-brown to dark slate grey.

Bare Part Features

It has a long black bill, a yellow iris, and a grey eye-ring surrounding the eye.

Female Plumage

Females resemble males, but their entire head is grey, with faint spotting except on the forehead.

M. f. wallacei Plumage Difference

M. f. wallacei is similar to the nominate subspecies, but the red facial colouration covers most of the head.

M. f. wallacei Morphometric Differences

It also has a slightly longer tail and wings, and a slightly shorter bill.

Vocalizations

Its calls include muffled laughing phrases of hew-hew-hew-hew-hew and tuk tuk tuk, which are not loud.

Drumming Behavior

It also drums during the breeding season.

Foraging Locations

Ashy woodpeckers feed predominantly on trees, but may also break into ground termite nests.

Foraging Microhabitat

They are most often seen foraging on tree trunks.

Diet Composition

Their diet consists of termites, caterpillars, and other insects and arthropods.

Nesting Behavior Knowledge

Little is known about their nesting behaviour.

Nest Excavation Observation

One breeding pair was observed digging a nest hole, with the male completing most of the excavation work.

Nest Site Characteristics

Nest holes are made in dead trees, or in dead sections of living trees.

Clutch Size

Clutches contain two to three eggs.