Heart-spotted Woodpecker (Hemicircus canente)

Heart-spotted Woodpecker (Hemicircus canente) at the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala, India. February 2015. Not baited. Not called in.

The Heart-spotted Woodpecker (Hemicircus canente) was one of the species I really wanted to see during my trip in Kerala. Because I love woodpeckers, and this one looks particulary amazing! You cannot see it on the picture above but this bird has spots in shape of heart on its plumage. So when I started to learn about the birds of Kerala from home, this species caught my attention. On our first day at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, right when we arrived at the entrance door in the morning, this Heart-spotted Woodpecker (Hemicircus canente) flew right towards us and stopped right above us on this branch. Incredible! What a way to start a birding trip! :)

Love Nature.
Jonathan