Some taxonomic authorities continue to place this species in the genus Dendrocopos or Picoides.

EBird describes the bird as "A small woodpecker of lowland wooded areas on the Sulu Islands.

Hind crown is dark in females and bright red in males.

[4] The security situation in the Sulu archipelago has prevented researchers from studying this bird.

The IUCN Red List classifies this bird as a vulnerable with population estimates of 2,500 to 9,999 mature individuals.

Continue to expand environmental awareness programs and raise the species profile and instill pride in locals