Sasia

Sasia
	Sasia abnormis by Gould & Richter
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Piciformes
Family:	Picidae
Subfamily:	Picumninae
Genus:	Sasia; Hodgson, 1837
Type species
	Sasia ochracea; Hodgson, 1837
Species
	3, see text
	range of genus

Sasia is a genus of birds in the woodpecker family Picidae, that are native to the Old World. They are very small, virtually tailless woodpeckers, with a crombec or nuthatch-like appearance and foraging habits. Their habitat is forest and secondary growth.^[2]

These species have a flesh orbital ring and a rounded (in cross-section) upper mandible. They have ten rectrices and only three toes (absent first digit, or hallux).^[3]

The African piculet has sometimes been included in this genus. It has only eight rectrices and four toes in a zygodactyl arrangement (a weak first digit). It differs from the Asian species in the plumage colour of the adult, but not in the plumage pattern, body anatomy or in habits.^[4]

Species

The genus contains two species:^[5]

Image	Common name	Scientific name	Distribution
	Rufous piculet	Sasia abnormis	mainly Malaysia and Indonesia
	White-browed piculet	Sasia ochracea	mainland Southeast Asia

Gallery

Sasia ochracea
by Gould & Richter
Close-up of the head
and tail of S. abnormis

References

^ "Picidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
^ Stevenson, Terry; Fanshawe, John (2001). Field guide to the birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi. London: T. & A.D. Poyser. pp. 280–281. ISBN 9780856610790.
^ Gorman, Gerard (2014). Woodpeckers of the World: The Complete Guide (Helm Photographic Guides). London: Bloomsbury. p. 88. ISBN 978-1408147153.
^ Delacour, J. (January 1951). "The significance of the number of toes in some woodpeckers and kingfishers" (PDF). The Auk. 68 (1): 49–51. doi:10.2307/4080797. JSTOR 4080797. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2023). "Woodpeckers". IOC World Bird List Version 13.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 29 January 2023.