It is the only widespread goldenback woodpecker in our area. Two other species, the Greater and the Himalayan, occur in the foothill forests. It is frequently miscalled the Common Flameback (because it is common in much of India) but that species is restricted to the Western Ghats and small areas in the northeast of India. The Lesser Goldenback is a fairly common and widespread breeding resident throughout our area and where it is not plotted is probably a reflection of observer coverage rather than its true occurrence.

It is usually seen in noisy pairs attracting attention with its loud laughing call. It also makes a resonant drumming in the breeding season by rapidly hammering at one place on a tree trunk or branch with its bill. It feeds mainly on larger trees at all levels but most frequently on the trunk. It also feeds on ants on the ground. Wherever there are large trees the Lesser Goldenback may be found. Even isolated large trees in quite open country are utilised and it will fly quite long distances for favoured feeding sites. They can sometimes be seen on roadside telephone poles. This is one species that regularly joins mixed feeding parties of smaller, insectivorous birds. It can be quite confiding but usually keeps the tree trunk between it and the observer, peeking its head around to see what is going on.