| Luzon flameback | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male (left) and female (right) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Piciformes |
| Family: | Picidae |
| Genus: | Chrysocolaptes |
| Species: | C. haematribon |
| Binomial name | |
| Chrysocolaptes haematribon (Wagler, 1827) | |
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TheLuzon flameback (Chrysocolaptes haematribon) is a species ofbird in the familyPicidae. It is found on the northern islands ofLuzon,Polillo,Catanduanes andMarinduque,Philippines. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of thegreater flameback.
Large sized woodpecker with a red back hence the name and a yellowish belly. Males and females aresexually dimorphic. Males have a red crest while the females have a more drab black crest with white spots.[2]
This species is part of theGreater flameback species complex which has now been split into 8 distinct species. This species differs from its most closely relatedBuff-spotted flameback as females have black crowns in females, a heavily spotted throat and soft barring on its belly to vent
This species is monotypic. .
Not much is known about this species specific diet but based on other flameback species it is presumed to feed on large caterpillars, wood-boring larvaes, pupaes and ants. It is often seen foraging on larger trees and snags pecking and hammering the wood to find insects. Often seen in pairs or small family groups and even withWhite-bellied woodpecker andNorthern sooty woodpecker.
Nests in tree cavities. Breeding is believed to occur from January to May. The very similar and well studiedGreater flameback lays 2 to 5 eggs which incubate in 2 weeks and fledge within a month.[3][4]
Its naturalhabitats are tropical moist lowlandforests and less often on tropical moistmontane forests up to 1,500 masl. It is threatened byhabitat loss, and the illegal wildlife trade. It is possibly extinct onMarinduque[5]
IUCN has assessed this bird as aLeast-concern species as it remains locally common in suitable habitat. This species is believed to be declining due to habitat loss.
It is found in multiple protected areas such asMount Banahaw,Mount Makiling,Mount Isarog,Bataan National Park andNorthern Sierra Madre Natural Park but like all areas in the Philippines, protection is lax and deforestation and hunting continues despite this protection on paper.[4]
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