Fine-spotted Woodpecker
Campethera punctuligera
The Fine-spotted Woodpecker (Campethera punctuligera) is a rare woodpecker found in 16 countries, weighing about 72 g. The fine-spotted woodpecker is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae.
About the Fine-spotted Woodpecker
The fine-spotted woodpecker is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is a widespread and frequently common resident breeder in much of west and central tropical Africa. It is a species associated with open forest, savannah and bush. This bird has a wide range and is a common species, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This bird is 22 cm (8.7 in) in length. It is a typical woodpecker shape, and has green upper parts marked with fine pale spots, except on the rump and tail, which have pale bars instead. The underparts are whitish or yellowish with fine dark spots on breast, belly and flanks. The head is whitish with greyer cheeks and chin, again with tiny dark spots. The adult male fine-spotted woodpecker has a red crown and moustachial stripes. Females have a dark forecrown, with red on the rear half. They lack the red moustaches. Young birds are like the female, but the green of the plumage is darker.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Fine-spotted Woodpecker?
- This bird is 22 cm (8.7 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Fine-spotted Woodpecker?
- The Fine-spotted Woodpecker is a medium sized bird weighing about 72 g.
- Where can you see a Fine-spotted Woodpecker?
- The Fine-spotted Woodpecker occurs in 16 countries, including the Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Benin.
- What birds look similar to a Fine-spotted Woodpecker?
- The Fine-spotted Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Green-backed Woodpecker, the Fine-banded Woodpecker and the Mombasa Woodpecker.
- Is the Fine-spotted Woodpecker endangered?
- The Fine-spotted Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Fine-spotted Woodpecker for real
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