Cardinal Woodpecker
Dendropicos fuscescens
The Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) is a uncommon woodpecker found in 37 countries, weighing about 26 g. The cardinal woodpecker is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa.
About the Cardinal Woodpecker
The cardinal woodpecker is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It occurs in a wide range of habitats, ranging from dense forest to thorn bush. It is fairly vocal and is easily identified by its call notes. The sexes are distinguishable by their head patterns. They feed primarily on tree-boring insects; using their adhering tongues they extract the insects from holes in wood or bark.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or "yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects. This is a very small woodpecker. It measures 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) from bill tip to tail tip, and its body shape is typical of a woodpecker. Its back plumage is dull olive in colour, and is marked with paler dots and bands. The underparts are white, heavily streaked with black, and the rump plumage is tawny.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mali, South Sudan.
When to see it
The Cardinal Woodpecker can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Cardinal Woodpecker?
- Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or "yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Cardinal Woodpecker?
- The Cardinal Woodpecker is a small sized bird weighing about 26 g.
- Where can you see a Cardinal Woodpecker?
- The Cardinal Woodpecker occurs in 37 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
- What birds look similar to a Cardinal Woodpecker?
- The Cardinal Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Olive Woodpecker, the African Grey Woodpecker and the Eastern Grey Woodpecker.
- Is the Cardinal Woodpecker endangered?
- The Cardinal Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Cardinal Woodpecker for real
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