The woodpecker is an amazing bird. Over 40 varieties have been recorded in India. What is commonly referred to as the kathphorwa is actually a hoopoe and not a woodpecker at all. The upupa epops, is a colourful bird with a lovely crest and a long curved beak.

But it is NOT a woodpecker at all, despite the popular misconception. It is known in Hindi as Kathphorwa, but is not a woodpecker.

Now this, is what one of the Indian woodpeckers really looks like..

White Bellied Woodecker- Drycopus javensis Widespread Resident in India.

All woodpeckers, Green Flameback, Scaly bellied etc. look approximately similar to the photo above.