Crimson-backed Flameback
Crimson-backed FlamebackCrimson-backed FlamebackCrimson-backed FlamebackCrimson-backed Flameback

Crimson-backed Flameback

Chrysocolaptes stricklandi

Silhouette: Pepe Reigada · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered Endemic
Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
at Horton Plains National Park
150 Verified sightings at Horton Plains National Park From 2019 to 2026
743 Verified sightings across all 5 parks From 2019 to 2026
October Best month highest sighting rate
🌅 Crepuscular When it's spotted at dawn and dusk

About the Crimson-backed Flameback

The crimson-backed flameback or greater Sri Lanka flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi) is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae that is endemic to Sri Lanka. The crimson-backed flameback and the greater flameback (Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus) were both formerly considered as subspecies of the buff-spotted flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus).

Nigel Collar (2011, p. 33) notes the differences between Chrysocolaptes stricklandi and Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus as being that the former has a crimson rather than golden upper body plumage, a yellow rather than a black beak, a weaker supramoustachial stripe and a less noticeable, even spotty, eyebrow stripe.

It takes its binomial name (formerly Brachypternus stricklandi) from Hugh Edwin Strickland (see Layard 1854 p. 29). Media related to Chrysocolaptes stricklandi at Wikimedia Commons Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Horton Plains National Park

Streak-throated Woodpecker
LC

Streak-throated Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Picus xanthopygaeus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Lesser Yellownape
LC

Lesser Yellownape

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Picus chlorolophus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Lesser Sri Lanka Flameback
LC Endemic

Lesser Sri Lanka Flameback

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dinopium psarodes

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Brown-capped Woodpecker

Brown-capped Woodpecker

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Yungipicus nanus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Yellow-fronted Barbet
LC Endemic

Yellow-fronted Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon flavifrons

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Crimson-fronted Barbet
LC Endemic

Crimson-fronted Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon rubricapillus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Brown-headed Barbet
LC

Brown-headed Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon zeylanicus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Coppersmith Barbet
LC

Coppersmith Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon haemacephalus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Sinharaja Forest Reserve 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~30%
2 Horton Plains National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~30%
3 Minneriya National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~10%
4 Wilpattu National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
<5%
5 Yala National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
<5%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Crimson-backed Flameback in Horton Plains National Park?

About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Crimson-backed Flameback sighting in Horton Plains National Park, based on 150 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Crimson-backed Flameback in Horton Plains National Park?

October has the highest sighting rate for Crimson-backed Flameback in Horton Plains National Park in our monthly data.

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