Fine-spotted Woodpecker
Encyclopedia
The Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera, is a bird. 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 and bush. It nests in a tree hole, often in an Oil Palm
, laying two or three white eggs.
Like other woodpecker
s, 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.
This bird is 22 cm in length. It is a typical woodpecker shape, and has green upperparts marked with fine pale spots, except on the rump and tail, which have pale bars instead. The underparts are yellowish with fine dark flank spots. 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.
Like other woodpeckers, this species is insectivorous. It is a specialist termite feeder, and is frequently seen near termite mounds. The call of this vocal species is a loud wik-wik-wee-wee-yuu.
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
It is a species associated with open forest and bush. It nests in a tree hole, often in an Oil Palm
Oil palm
The oil palms comprise two species of the Arecaceae, or palm family. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis is native to West Africa, occurring between Angola and Gambia, while the American Oil Palm Elaeis oleifera is native to...
, laying two or three white eggs.
Like other woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s, 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.
This bird is 22 cm in length. It is a typical woodpecker shape, and has green upperparts marked with fine pale spots, except on the rump and tail, which have pale bars instead. The underparts are yellowish with fine dark flank spots. 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.
Like other woodpeckers, this species is insectivorous. It is a specialist termite feeder, and is frequently seen near termite mounds. The call of this vocal species is a loud wik-wik-wee-wee-yuu.