Buff-spotted woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buff-spotted woodpecker |
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The buff-spotted woodpecker (scientific name: Pardipicus nivosus) is a type of bird that belongs to the woodpecker family, Picidae. You can find this bird in many parts of tropical central Africa. Even though it lives across a very large area, it's not super common everywhere. Experts at the International Union for Conservation of Nature say it's a "least concern" species, which means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
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What Does It Look Like?
The buff-spotted woodpecker is a small bird. It grows to be about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long.
The male bird has a dark olive or blackish top of its head. It also has a bright red patch on the back of its neck. The rest of its head is whitish or buff, with olive streaks. The female bird does not have the red patch on her neck.
Both male and female woodpeckers have plain green feathers on their upper bodies. Their undersides are yellowish-olive or dark olive. These parts are spotted or barred with buff-colored markings. The bird's beak is curved and quite short.
Where Does It Live?
The buff-spotted woodpecker lives in the tropical rainforests of Africa. It usually lives in both old, untouched forests (called primary forests) and forests that have grown back after being cut down (secondary forests).
You can find it at different heights, up to about 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) above sea level. However, it is most often found in areas lower than 950 meters (3,100 feet).
What Does It Eat and How Does It Live?
The buff-spotted woodpecker mainly eats black ants, especially a type called Crematogaster. It also enjoys eating termites. It finds these insects on trees.
This bird is usually quiet and hard to spot. It often looks for food alone or with just one other woodpecker. They search for food in the lower parts of the forest, among the bushes and small trees. Sometimes, they might join small groups of different bird species.
Is It Endangered?
The buff-spotted woodpecker lives across a very large area. It is quite common in some places, but less so in others.
Experts have not found any major threats to this bird. Its population seems to be stable, meaning the number of these birds is not going down. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed its conservation status as "least concern". This means it is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction.
