Campethera notata (M.H.K.Lichtenstein, 1823)

Common Name and Distinguishing Feature

Campethera notata, commonly known as the Knysna woodpecker, can be distinguished from other South African woodpecker species by its thickly spotted underside, which is covered in black spots extending from the chin to the vent.

Sexual Dimorphism Overview

Males and females differ slightly in appearance.

Male Upperparts Coloration

Males are olive-green on their upperparts, marked with faint small transverse bars and a small number of diamond-shaped paler olive-yellow sub-terminal spots.

Female Head Plumage

Females match males in most features, except their black head is spotted with white, and only the occiput is scarlet.

Primary Flight Quill Features

The primary flight quills are brown, turning olive externally near their base.

Secondary Quill Features

Secondary quills are olive-brown, duller than the back, and crossed by transverse bars of yellow-tinged white.

Primary Quill Markings

Primaries have yellow spots on their outer edges, white notches on their inner webs, and brown shafts.

Tail Color and Barring

The tail is olive-brown with an almost green tint, crossed by six nearly yellow bars.

Tail Feather Tips and Shafts

Tail feather tips are dull golden, and their shafts are golden brown.

Male Head Feather Coloration

For males, the head is gray-black, and all head feathers are tipped with scarlet.

Occipital Crest Appearance

The occipital crest, located at the base of the cranium, is entirely bright scarlet.

Lore Features

The lores are yellowish and finely spotted with black.

Cheek and Ear-Coverts Coloration

Ear-coverts are whitish with black streaks, and the front portion of the cheeks is scarlet.

Face and Neck Side Markings

The rest of the sides of the face and neck are yellowish white, thickly mottled with black; feathers in this area are black with narrow whitish edges.

Underside Base Coloration

The body underside is yellowish, with white on the throat, and is thickly spotted as noted earlier.

Underside Spot Shape Variation

The spots are rounded and very large on the breast, becoming more diamond-shaped on the abdomen.

Flank and Underwing Coverts Markings

The flanks are barred with dusky black, and the underwing coverts are yellow with round black spots matching those on the breast.

Eye Color

Eyes are hazel in color.

Total Length

The species has an approximate total length of 8.5 inches (22 cm).

Endemic Range

This woodpecker is endemic to South Africa.

Coastal Distribution Extent

It is thinly spread across South Africa's coastal lowlands, ranging north into southern KwaZulu-Natal and west to near Bredasdorp in the Western Cape.

Population Density

It is common in localized areas, but not across its entire coastal range.

Total Distribution Area

Its total distribution covers less than 50,000 km² (19,000 sq mi).

Population Estimate

The total population is estimated at 1,500 to 5,000 individuals, of which 1,000 to 3,300 are assumed to be mature breeding birds.

Breeding Period

Breeding occurs between August and November, with most breeding activity taking place in October.

Breeding Pair Spacing

Breeding pairs are widely spaced.

Nest Excavation

Pairs excavate a nest hole in a dead tree trunk or branch.

Clutch Size

Clutch size ranges from 2 to 4 eggs.

Incubation and Fledgling Period

Incubation lasts 13 to 21 days, after which the fledgling period lasts 4 to 6 days.