Great Slaty Woodpecker

Description:

Classified as Vulnerable under the IUCNredlist. "This unique-looking woodpecker has several obvious distinctive features: a very long, strong chisel-tipped bill, an elongated neck and a long tail. A slight crest maybe occasionally evident. This species plumage is almost entirely dark grey or blackish slate-grey overlaid with small white spots. The throat is paler grey and males have small red moustache. Normally, the nominate subspecies is the darkest, most slaty gray race. M. p. harterti has a more pale throat with a greater amount of whitish feather tips forming small spot and is slightly paler below than the nominate, sometimes appearing almiost whitish on the belly. The size and structure readily distinguishes this bird from almost any other species, including other woodpeckers." "[These are] the largest species of woodpecker that is certain to exist today." (Wiki)

Habitat:

Making a racket in the dry deciduous forest at Tmatboey which is situtated in the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary.

Notes:

I had never seen woodpeckers before until this trip...and I got to see three different species! This is one of them. The location is not exact... Reference: http://www.asia-adventures.com/index.php...