29 CMS.,WHITE SPOTTING ON BLACK THROAT,WHITE SPOTS ON SHOULDERS,AND WHITE BARRING ON FOLDED BLACK PRIMARIES SEPARATE THIS SPECIES FROM THE OTHER FLAMEBACKS.THE BLACK RUMP DISTINGUISHES FROM ALL BUT WHITE-NAPED WOODPECKER BUT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO SEE ON A PERCHED INDIVIDUAL.HAS FOUR TOES.ON FEMALE FORECROWN IS BLACK STREAKED WITH WHITE,HIND CROWN IS RED.THE COMMONEST FLAMEBACK IN MOST OF THE SUBCONTINENT.SEEN IN ALL TYPES OF WOODLANDS BUT AVOIDING DENSER FOREST.