Bar-breasted Piculet
NameBar-breasted Piculet
Common NameBar-breasted Piculet
Scientific NameSasia abnormis
FamilyPicidae
Wingspan (cm)16
Length (cm)9
Weight (g)9.5
Plumage DetailsThe Bar-breasted Piculet has olive-green upperparts and wings. Its underparts are yellowish with fine dark barring, particularly noticeable on the breast. The head is dark with fine white spotting, and males display a prominent golden-yellow patch on the forecrown, while females have a rufous patch. It possesses a very short, stubby tail.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations typically consist of a series of high-pitched, rapid 'tsip' or 'tsee' notes, often delivered in quick succession, sometimes accelerating into a trill.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across Southeast Asia, including parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo, Java), and the Philippines (Palawan).
Identifying FeaturesVery small size (one of the smallest woodpeckers), Short, almost non-existent tail, Olive-green upperparts, Yellowish underparts with fine barring on breast, Dark head with white spotting, Golden-yellow (male) or rufous (female) crown patch
Description
A very small, short-tailed woodpecker, the Bar-breasted Piculet is characterized by its olive-green plumage and finely barred underparts. It actively forages in the understory of forests, often clinging to slender branches and bamboo stems in search of insects.
