Bird Guide

Eastern Grey Woodpecker vs Olive Woodpecker

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
Olive Woodpecker (Dendropicos griseocephalus)

Olive Woodpecker

Dendropicos griseocephalus

Small41 gForest

The olive woodpecker is mostly plain, and lacks many of the patterns typically observed in other woodpecker species. It is characterized by a bright scarlet rump and upper-tail coverts, better revealed in flight. These scarlet feathers often have grey bases, and black subterminal bars. It has a darkish grey forecrown, hindneck, chin and neck, sometimes with black markings on its forehead. The olive woodpecker's belly is dark grey and olive coloured, with lighter golden tones on the breast. It displays a red or pink belly-patch which can vary in size. Voice: The olive woodpecker is known to give many different vocalizations. This woodpecker produces a short, nasally 3 to 4 note whistle "whee-whee-whee" . It is also known to emit a mocking or quivering "yeh-yeh-yeh-yeh". Sometimes, the olive woodpecker can also produce a squeaky "tweet-tweet-tweet". Within groups, these woodpeckers conversate with "pep" or "pep-pep-pep" notes.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Christiaan Viljoen · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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