Brown-eared woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown-eared woodpecker |
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Campethera caroli |
The brown-eared woodpecker (scientific name: Pardipicus caroli) is a type of bird. It belongs to the Picidae family, which includes all woodpeckers. This bird lives naturally in the tropical rainforests of Africa. There are two main types, called subspecies. One type, P. c. caroli, lives in the eastern part of its home range. The other, P. c. arizela, is found from Guinea-Bissau in the west to Nigeria in the east. This woodpecker is found across a large area. It is quite common in many places. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" species. This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
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What Does the Brown-Eared Woodpecker Look Like?
The brown-eared woodpecker is a unique bird. Male and female woodpeckers look mostly alike. However, there is one key difference. The male bird has a dark brown front part of its head. The back part of his head is bright red. Female woodpeckers do not have this red color on their heads.
Feathers and Colors
Both male and female birds have a light, creamy stripe above their eye. This stripe is called a supercilium. They also have a large patch of reddish-brown feathers. This patch is located behind their eye and covers their ear area. The feathers on their back and wings are olive-brown. Their tail is a deep brown color. The outer tail feathers have small white spots.
Face, Belly, and Beak
The face and throat of the brown-eared woodpecker are olive-green. These areas have small white speckles. Their chest and belly are also olive-green. However, these parts have streaks of buff, yellow, or white. The bird's long beak is a bluish-grey color. Its legs are olive-colored. The eyes of this woodpecker are chestnut brown.
Where Do Brown-Eared Woodpeckers Live?
The brown-eared woodpecker lives in many countries in Africa. You can find them in Angola, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. They also live in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other countries include Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. They are also present in Ghana, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. You might see them in Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Their range also extends to South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Their Favorite Homes
These woodpeckers prefer to live in thick tropical forests. This includes both old, untouched forests and newer forests that are growing back. They especially like areas with hanging vines and lots of new plant growth. You can also find them in tree plantations. They sometimes live in forests along rivers. They may even be seen in more open areas with grassy woodlands.
How They Live
The brown-eared woodpecker is a rather shy bird. It likes to stay hidden. It searches for food among the vines and plants close to the ground. Its main diet includes ants and other small invertebrates.
