Dendropicos fuscescens (Vieillot, 1818)

Bill and Foot Structure

Like other woodpeckers, Dendropicos fuscescens (the cardinal woodpecker) has a straight, pointed bill, a stiff tail that provides support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl (or "yoked") feet, with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward.

Tongue Adaptation

Its long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects.

Size and Body Shape

This is a very small woodpecker species, measuring 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) from the tip of its bill to the tip of its tail, with a body shape that is typical for a woodpecker.

Back Plumage

Its back plumage is dull olive in color, marked with paler dots and bands.

Underparts and Rump Plumage

The underparts are white, heavily streaked with black, and the rump plumage is tawny.

Face and Fore Crown Markings

The white throat and face are separated by a conspicuous black malar stripe, and the fore crown is olive brown.

Head Pattern Variation

As with other woodpeckers, the head pattern varies with the bird's age and sex.

Adult Head Dimorphism

Males have a red hind crown and nape; females have a dark hind crown and black nape.

Juvenile Male Head Markings

Juvenile males have a red hind crown and black nape.

Crest Behavior

The small crest is raised when the bird is excited.

Native Range

The cardinal woodpecker is native to tropical regions of western and central Africa.

Range Country List

Its range includes Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Habitat Types

It can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from dense forest to thorn bush.

Social Behavior

The cardinal woodpecker often occurs in small family groups, or may join small mixed flocks.

Foraging Location

It forages mainly in the lower storeys of trees and among shrubs and vines, and also on maize stalks and reeds.

Foraging Behavior

It pecks rapidly and probes dense vegetation, clambering along and hanging from small twigs.

Diet

Like other woodpeckers, this species is an insectivore.

Drumming Behavior

It is frequently seen, and regularly drums softly.

Vocalization

Its call is a high-pitched krrrek-krrrek-krrrek.

Nesting Site

It nests in an unlined tree hole, with only wood chippings present as nesting material.