Sasia

For the marine mollusc genus, see Sassia.

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]

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[1] Hodgson, 1837
Species
3, see text
range of genus

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