Woodpeckers (Picidae) are a group of birds particularly sensitive to logging and deforestation because
they nest in cavities located in large trees and often forage on large trunks or standing dead trees. The diverse
woodpecker community of lowland dipterocarp forests in Peninsular Malaysia was investigated in a forest selectively
logged 40 y ago and in adjacent primary forest at Pasoh Forest Reserve (PFR). Line transects were conducted at dawn
and dusk in each forest type to document potential differences in the woodpecker communities in logged vs. unlogged
forest. A total of 121 woodpeckers were recorded along transects, including 14 of the 15 species known to occur at
PFR. Eleven species were encountered in logged forest, 12 species were encountered in primary forest, and nine
species were found at both sites. A significant difference in the overall woodpecker community between the two forest
types was found. Of the most common species, Meiglyptes tristis, Reinwardtipicus validus and Dryocopus javensis
were significantly more common in primary forest. Only one species, Picus mentalis, was significantly more abundant
in logged forest. Possible causes for the differences observed are discussed.