Bird Guide

African Grey Woodpecker vs Eastern Grey Woodpecker

African Grey Woodpecker (Dendropicos goertae)

African Grey Woodpecker

Dendropicos goertae

Small44 gWoodland

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 bird is 20 cm (7.9 in) in length. It is a typical woodpecker shape, and has unmarked green upperparts and a pale grey head and underparts. The rump is red, and there is a small red belly patch. The short tail is blackish. The adult male grey woodpecker has a red crown. Females have a plain grey head, lacking the red crown.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Thom Haslam Camera location14° 43′ 43.89″ N, 17° 25′ 58.07″ W View this and other nearby images on: OpenStreetMap 14.728858; -17.432797 · CC BY 2.0
Eastern Grey Woodpecker (Dendropicos spodocephalus)

Eastern Grey Woodpecker

Dendropicos spodocephalus

Small47 g

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. The adult male eastern grey woodpecker has a red crown and nape, and females have a plain grey head, lacking the red crown. The upper parts of the body are yellowish-green, the rump is red, and the wings and tail are dark brown.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Eastern Grey Woodpecker
Recorded by Anne Ndung'u · Song · Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sri Srikumar · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: African Grey Woodpecker and Eastern Grey Woodpecker.