[2] The genus Micropternus was erected by Edward Blyth who separated it from Meiglyptes based on the short first toe with reduced claw.

[5][6][7] Dryocopus Piculus Colaptes Celeus Picus Campethera Geocolaptes Dinopium Gecinulus Meiglyptes Micropternus The rufous woodpecker is about 25 cm long, overall dark brown with dark bands on the feathers of the wing and tail giving it a black-barred appearance.

[15] Drumming occurs through the year but increases in frequency in winter in southern India[16] and peaking around March–April in Nepal.

[17] A display of unknown function between two birds facing each other involved swaying the head with bill held high and tail splayed.

Their feathers, particularly when nesting are said to be covered in a dark and smelly sticky fluid on which dead ants are often found sticking.

[21] The species has a wide habitat range and in Malaysia they have been found to persist even in places where swamp forests have been removed and replaced by oil palm plantations.

[22] Their habitat is mainly in the plains and lower hills mostly below 3000 m.[23] This bird is not considered threatened on the IUCN Red List.