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This is a breeding resident species found from the north-central part of the island towards the northern parts. The Red-backed Woodpecker Dinopium psarodes also referred to as Black-rupmed Flameback that was considered a sub species of this species in the past is now recognized as a full species endemic to the country. 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.

I have observed Golden-backed Woodpeckers with varying degrees of yellow to orange on the mantles, backs and primary feathers in and around Wilpattu. All these forms have broader white facial markings compared to the narrow facial marking of the endemic Red-backed Woodpeckers found throughout the southern parts of the island. On the 30th of June 2019 I photographed a nesting pair of this species in a village referred to as Rajanganaya, track 16 “tharuna govipola” which lies a few kilometers south from Wilpattu. Male of this pair had an orange back while the female’s back was a very deep orange very close to red. It is very likely that the two species hybridize where their territories meet producing these varied coloures.

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.