Elliot's woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elliot's woodpecker |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Piciformes |
| Family: | Picidae |
| Genus: | Dendropicos |
| Species: |
D. elliotii
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| Binomial name | |
| Dendropicos elliotii (Cassin, 1863)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Elliot's woodpecker (Dendropicos elliotii) is a type of bird. It belongs to the Picidae family, which includes all woodpeckers. This bird lives across a very large area. Scientists say it is not very common. However, there are no big threats to this species right now. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" species. This means it is not in danger of disappearing.
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What Does Elliot's Woodpecker Look Like?
The Elliot's woodpecker is a medium-sized bird. It grows to be about 20 to 22 centimeters (8 to 9 inches) long. Its face is a light yellowish-brown color. The front part of its head is black. Its neck and throat are white with thin, olive-colored stripes.
Male vs. Female Woodpeckers
Male Elliot's woodpeckers have a red back of the head and a red neck. Female woodpeckers do not have these red parts. Instead, their whole head and neck are black.
Body Colors and Markings
Both male and female birds have plain green upper bodies. These parts might have a bronze or brownish shine. Their wings and the top of their tail are brown. The wing feathers have bronze-green edges. The tail feathers also have green edges. The chest and belly are yellowish or whitish. They have olive-colored stripes and bars on their sides.
Where Does Elliot's Woodpecker Live?
The Elliot's woodpecker can be found in many countries in Africa. These include Angola, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. You can also find them in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other homes are Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Woodpecker Homes: Forests and Mountains
These woodpeckers usually live in thick, old forests. Sometimes, they can also be found in forests that are growing back after being cut down. They mostly live in low-lying areas. But they can also live high up in mountains. They have been seen at altitudes of up to 2,320 meters (7,610 feet). In these high places, they live in thick, mossy mountain forests.
How Elliot's Woodpecker Lives
Elliot's woodpeckers are usually seen alone or in pairs. Sometimes, they join small groups of different bird species. They look for food in the tops of trees, called the canopy. They also search in the lower parts of the forest.
Finding Food
They peck and dig deep into moss and other plants that grow on trees. These plants are called epiphytes. The woodpeckers explore trees quickly. They soon fly to another tree to keep searching. Their main food is insects. They especially love to eat beetle larvae, which are young beetles.
 | Isaac Myers |
 | D. Hamilton Jackson |
 | A. Philip Randolph |
