About Picus chlorolophus Vieillot, 1818
The lesser yellownape (Picus chlorolophus Vieillot, 1818) is a largish woodpecker that reaches 27 cm in length, and has the typical shape of a woodpecker. Its upperparts are green, aside from a bright yellow tufted nape. Its neck and breast are green, while its belly is whitish and finely barred with green. Its rump and tail are blackish. Adult male lesser yellownapes have a green head and white throat, with red markings above the eye and above the nape, plus red moustachial stripes. Females only have a red patch above the ear coverts. Young birds look similar to females, but their coloration is duller. The subspecies found in peninsular India has a greyer head. This is a jungle-dwelling species that nests in tree cavities, and lays two to four white eggs. Like other woodpecking birds, this species has a straight, pointed bill, a stiff tail that provides support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl, or "yoked", feet: two toes point forward, and two point backward. Its long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects.
