The Himalayan flameback is not threatened but it is suspected that deforestation could severely affect the species population.

[2] The Himalayan flameback is very similar in appearance to the Greater Goldenback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) but they are not at all closely related.

The breast of the Himalayan flameback is irregularly streaked with black, but on occasion completely white.

[2] The sister species of the Himalayan flameback are Meiglyptes tristis and Celeus brachyurus.

[5] The species epithet honors Frederick John Shore, an East India Company official who sent a specimen of the bird to the Zoological Society of London, where it was described and named by Vigors.

[7][8][9][10][11] Its range spans Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, and Nepal,[1] where they are year-round residents.