About the Golden-tailed Woodpecker
The golden-tailed woodpecker is a species of bird in the family Picidae. Its specific name commemorates the 5th Earl of Abingdon. It belongs to a species complex that includes the Knysna woodpecker to the south of its range, and the mostly allopatric Mombasa woodpecker to the northeast, with which it perhaps hybridizes.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The combination of barred, greenish upper part plumage, and streaked underparts is distinctive. Their golden-olive tails do not differ markedly from those of several related or sympatric woodpecker species, but their single, strident call-note is characteristic. It measures 20 to 21 cm from bill tip to tail tip. The southern races weigh about 70 g, but the northern race C. a. chrysura, only about 55 g. Males are on average larger and heavier than females.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Nubian WoodpeckerCampethera nubicaThe Nubian woodpecker Is a medium-sized species growing to a length of about 21 cm (8.3 in).
Bennett's WoodpeckerCampethera bennettiiBennett's woodpecker is about 24 cm (9.4 in) long and weighs 61–84 g (2.2–3.0 oz).
Knysna WoodpeckerCampethera notataThis species is distinguished from the other South African woodpeckers by its thickly spotted under-surface which is covered with black spots from the chin to the vent.
Learn the Golden-tailed Woodpecker for real
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