Common Flameback , male (Dinopium javanense) - Flickr - Lip Kee

Common Flameback Dinopium javanense javanense aka Picus javanensis, Dinopium javanese

See the female: www.flickr.com/photos/lipkee/630670965

Seen in the Singapore Botanic Garden, 5th. December 2005, feeding on ripening fruits of the oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, a native of west Africa. Although the plant is not native to the areas this subspecies of common flameback is found (South East Asia) the bird has taken to it. It certainly blends in with the fruits so well that only movement gave it away.

In adapting its diet the common flameback seems to have added a fruit with the largest natural source of tocotrienol, part of the vitamin E family. It is also a good source of vitamin K and dietary magnesium.

Other names:

Common Goldenback, Indian Golden-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Common Gold-backed Woodpecker, Golden-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker

Malay: Belatuk, Belatuk Pinang Kecil, Burung Belatuk Japanese: ズアカミユビゲラ Thai: นกหัวขวานสามนิ้วหลังทอง Chinese: 金背三趾啄木鸟