African grey woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids African grey woodpecker |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dendropicos
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| Species: |
goertae
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| Geographic distribution shown in green | |
| Synonyms | |
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The African grey woodpecker (Dendropicos goertae) is a cool bird from the Picidae family, which is the woodpecker family! You can find these birds all over Sub-Saharan and equatorial Africa. They are quite common.
These woodpeckers love living in forests and bushy areas. They make their nests in tree holes, often choosing oil palm trees. A female woodpecker usually lays two to four eggs. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says this bird is a "least concern" species. This means there are lots of them, and they are not in danger of disappearing.
Contents
Meet the African Grey Woodpecker: What Makes It Special?
Like all woodpeckers, the African grey woodpecker has some unique features. It has a straight, pointed beak, perfect for pecking wood. Its tail is stiff, which helps it lean against tree trunks while it's climbing or pecking.
Amazing Feet and Tongue
This bird has special feet called "zygodactyl" feet. This means two of its toes point forward, and two point backward. This helps it grip trees really well! It also has a long tongue that can shoot out to catch insects.
How Big Is It?
The African grey woodpecker is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long. That's about the length of a standard ruler.
What Does It Look Like?
This woodpecker has a typical woodpecker shape. Its upper body is green, and its head and belly are a pale grey color. It has a bright red rump (the area above its tail) and a small red patch on its belly. Its short tail is blackish.
Spot the Difference: Males and Females
- Male African grey woodpeckers have a red crown on their heads.
- Female woodpeckers have a plain grey head with no red crown.
- Young birds look a bit like the females, but their red colors are lighter. They might also have some stripes on their sides.
Where Do African Grey Woodpeckers Live?
The African grey woodpecker lives in the tropical parts of western and central Africa. You can find them in many countries, including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania, to name a few.
Their Favorite Places to Hang Out
These birds like different kinds of places. They can be found in woodlands, savannas with scattered trees, small groups of larger trees, forests near rivers, and even pastures.
What Do African Grey Woodpeckers Do?
Just like other woodpeckers, the African grey woodpecker loves to eat insects. It's an insectivore! You can often see them tapping or drumming on trees. This is how they look for food or communicate.
Listen to Their Call!
If you're lucky, you might hear their call. It's a loud and fast sound that goes peet-peet-peet-peet!
Images for kids
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A close-up of an African grey woodpecker.
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This map shows where the African grey woodpecker lives. The green areas are where you can find them!
