# Bark Beaters (DD-276)

> The white-bellied woodpecker is a large woodpecker of South and Southeast Asia. It is mostly black with a white belly, and males have a red crown. It drums on trees to communicate and digs into wood for insects. Its nest cavities are later used by other animals, and its need for mature forest makes it a sign of forest health. The footage shows white-bellied woodpeckers on tree trunks.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2024-07-22
- Last updated: 2024-07-22
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bark-beaters/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-276-F01**: It lives in South and Southeast Asia. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Range))_
- **DD-276-F02**: It is black with a white belly. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Plumage))_

## Write-up

The white-bellied woodpecker is one of Asia's largest woodpeckers. Its old nest holes become homes for other species.

1. **Range**: It lives in South and Southeast Asia.
2. **Plumage**: It is black with a white belly.
3. **Red crown**: Males have a red crown.
4. **Drumming**: It drums on trees.
5. **Cavities**: Other species reuse its nest holes.

## Related case files

- [Eagles (DD-124)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/eagles/): I linked more birds

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel says the bird is native to South Asia; its range also covers much of Southeast Asia.

## Video: Bark Beaters: The White-Bellied Woodpecker Is One of Asia's Largest Woodpeckers

- Duration: 28.5 s · Published: 2024-07-22
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C9tiIU-Oy8c.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, the white-bellied woodpecker is a striking bird native to South Asia, easily identifiable by its large size and contrasting plumage. Its body is predominantly black, with a white belly and rump, and the males sport a vibrant red crown. These woodpeckers are known for their powerful drumming on trees, which they do to communicate and to excavate insects from wood. They play a crucial role in their ecosystem by controlling insect populations and creating nesting cavities used by other species. The white-bellied woodpecker's preference for mature forests makes it an important indicator of forest health. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Where does it live?**  
A: Forests. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Range) · Wikipedia: White-bellied woodpecker)_

**Q: What color is its belly?**  
A: Hence the name. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Plumage) · Wikipedia: White-bellied woodpecker)_

**Q: Which sex has a red crown?**  
A: A full red crown. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Red crown) · Wikipedia: White-bellied woodpecker)_

**Q: Why does it drum?**  
A: On trunks. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Drumming) · Wikipedia: White-bellied woodpecker)_

**Q: Who uses its old holes?**  
A: Nest cavities. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Cavities) · Wikipedia: White-bellied woodpecker)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: White-bellied woodpecker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-bellied_woodpecker)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Bark Beaters." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-276, last updated Jul 22, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bark-beaters/