Knysna Woodpecker

Campethera notata

Coastal bush. Male with red cap and moustachial streak; female with black cap and red nape; both well spotted below.

Woodpeckers

Endemic

Description

Fairly common, localised, endemic resident. Both sexes have well-spotted underparts from chin to vent (except in northeasterly distribution, where it is less spotted). Male’s forecrown and malar streak are red with heavy black spots. Female has no distinct malar streak. The call is ‘keeek’, recalling that of Golden-tailed Woodpecker, but higher in pitch and more sibilant. Pairs occur in coastal and valley bush, woodland and forest fringes.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Small, robust birds with straight, pointed bills, stiff tails and zygodactylous feet (the inner and outer toes are directed backward and the two central toes forward). They glean insects and their larvae from within crevices in trees and from beneath bark by tapping with their bills to loosen or chip the wood and inserting their long sticky tongues. While feeding, they use the tail as a prop. They normally occur in pairs and excavate holes in trees for nesting, these frequently being used in turn by other hole-nesting species. Many woodpeckers are very similar in appearance. They are best identified by head and breast markings plus call. The aberrant Ground Woodpecker is entirely terrestrial and nests in holes in banks.