This is a male showing a fringe of red behind the yellow crown. This small woodpecker has a limited range generally confined to the Himalayan foothills. However recent records from China and from parts of Pakistan indicate either expansion or better knowledge of its distribution in remote areas. IOC and H&M recognize two subspecies but Clements & HBW judge the differences in size and ventral streaking to be clinal. This individual is an example of the larger, less streaked populations (nominate race if recognized) from the NW part of its range. HBW places this species along with others in the "spotted woodpecker" group in the genus Leiopicus following a recommendation by Winkler et al. (2014). Some authors call this bird the Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker. Canon
PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
Rasmussen, P.C. & Anderton, J.C. (2012) Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Vols. 1 and 2. Second Edition. Smithsonian Institution. Michigan State University & Lynx Edicions, Washington. D.C., Michigan & Barcelona.
Winkler, H. & Christie, D.A. (2016). Brown-fronted Woodpecker (Leiopicus auriceps). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/56215 on 17 September 2016).
Winkler, H., Gamauf, A., Nittinger, F. & Haring, E. (2014) Relationships of Old World woodpeckers (Aves: Picidae)-new insights and taxonomic implications. Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien. 116: 69-86.