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This is a breeding resident species found in the northern parts of the island. The southern race of this species, referred to as the Red-backed Woodpecker Dinopium benghalense psarodes is found in the southern parts of the island. This species is also native to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

Four colour forms of this species have been recognized. Some birds carry a Yellow mantle and others a reddish mantle. The other two colour forms are Orange-backed and Red-backed (dull red unlike the bright red birds found in the south). All these forms have broad white facial marking as oppose to the narrow facial marking of the Red-backed birds seen in the south. I have seen this species from Anawilundawa on the northwestern cost and Anuradapura in the north central province towards the north. It is a common species in the Mannar Island, the Jaffna peninsula as well as the Delft, Analathivu and Eluwathivu Islands off the cost of Jaffna.

This is a common species in Wilpattu but a tough species to photograph unless you find a nesting pair. I have seen all the colour forms of this species in the park.