• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is poorly known, owed at least partially to its former treatment as a subspecies of the widespread P. canus. Although it is mapped as having a relatively large range, it appears to be highly localised and there are surprisingly few records from even well surveyed areas of habitat, which would appear to otherwise be suitable. Although it may be impervious to minor habitat degradation, there is concern that forest clearance may nonetheless impact it, albeit any rate of decline is likely to be slow. For these reasons, it is accordingly listed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been estimated. Although it has an ostensibly large range, within which there is c.25,000 km² of forest (Hansen et al. 2013, Global Forest Watch 2023), P. dedemi appears to be a scarce and thinly distributed species. In recent years, there have been records from only the north and centre of its mapped range (Eaton et al. 2021, eBird 2023) and even here it is notably localised, with few records away from established locales, even in well-explored areas of suitable habitat. Precautionarily, it is assumed to have a moderately small population numbering 2,500-9,999 mature individuals, although surveys are urgently needed to confirm or refute this suspicion.

Trend justification
This species shows some tolerance to localised habitat loss and degradation, rendering the calculation of a quantified population trend difficult in the absence of direct data. The main threat (forest loss) is, however, ongoing (per Global Forest Watch 2023) and its requirement for tree hollows to nest in suggests it may be vulnerable to larger-scale clearances of habitat. Accordingly, it is precautionarily suspected to be in decline, although this requires confirmation.

P. dedemi is endemic to Sumatra, Indonesia, where it occurs in forest and woodland habitats in montane areas (Winkler et al. 1995, del Hoyo et al. 2002). Although typically mapped (included here) as occurring throughout the highlands of Sumatra, principally based on specimen records (see van Marle and Voous 1988), there are recent records from only the north and south of the island (Eaton et al. 2021, eBird 2023); more research is needed.

It occurs in evergreen montane forest from about 1,000 m up to 2,000 m in Sumatra (Winkler et al. 1995, del Hoyo et al. 2002). The species appears to tolerate some level of habitat modification, making use of bamboo groves in second growth (Winkler et al. 1995, Eaton et al. 2021).

The only identified threat for this species is forest loss, mainly for agricultural expansion, which is ongoing (Global Forest Watch 2023). Although it is apparently tolerant of moderate habitat disturbance and modification (see Winkler et al. 1995, Eaton et al. 2021), it is assumed to be vulnerable, as are most larger woodpeckers, to the removal of larger trees which are more likely to be suitable for nesting.

Conservation and research actions underway
No targeted conservation actions are known. The species occurs in Kerinci-Seblat and Gunung Leuser National Parks (D. L. Yong in litt. 2014, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023).

Conservation and research actions proposed
Calculate its population size and confirm its status in southern Sumatra. Determine its precise ecological requirements and its ability to persist in degraded and fragmented habitats. Ensure the effective protection of existing protected areas in which it occurs.

26-33cm. Deep brownish red upperparts, greyish red underparts, bright red rump and greyish face with dark cap and black malar; bright red forecrown in male. Similar spp. P. canus robinsoni occurs in peninsular Malaysia (no overlap) and has dark coppery-green plumage rather than red. P. miniaceus is barred black and white below and has a bright red head with crest.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Iqbal, M., Martin, R., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Westrip, J.R.S. & Yong, D.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sumatran Woodpecker Picus dedemi. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sumatran-woodpecker-picus-dedemi on 28/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 28/11/2024.