Dendropicos spodocephalus
The Eastern Grey Woodpecker (Dendropicos spodocephalus) is a striking, small to medium-sized woodpecker native to East Africa, distinguished by its unique ash-grey head. Measuring around 17-18 cm in length and weighing approximately 30-45 grams, its plumage features olive-green upperparts, a contrasting grey head and neck, a dark eye-stripe, and whitish underparts intricately barred with dusky streaks, culminating in a distinctive red vent. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with males sporting a ...
Found in a variety of wooded habitats, including broadleaf woodlands, acacia savanna, riparian forests, and montane forests, from sea level up to approximately 3000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, beetle larvae, and termites extracted from bark and wood. Occasionally supplements its diet with small fruits or berries.
Diurnal, the Eastern Grey Woodpecker typically roosts singly in self-excavated tree cavities. Its foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning insects from bark crevices and probing rotten wood, occasionally hammering to extract deeper prey. Territoriality is asserted through loud vocalizations ...
The Eastern Grey Woodpecker is a widespread resident across much of East Africa, with its breeding and year-round range extending through Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, southeastern Central African Republic, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a non-mi...
Least Concern
- The specific epithet 'spodocephalus' derives from Ancient Greek, meaning 'ash-grey head', perfectly describing its most prominent field mark. - Despite its relatively small size, the Eastern Grey Woodpecker is an adept excavator, capable of carving its own intricate nest and roosting cavities i...