Dendropicos lugubris
The Melancholy Woodpecker (Dendropicos lugubris) is a medium-sized, somewhat retiring member of the Picidae family, named for its subdued plumage and often plaintive calls. Measuring approximately 19-21 cm in length with a wingspan of 36-39 cm and weighing 55-70 grams, its general appearance features a dark olive-green back and wings, finely barred underparts, and a distinctively dark, often grayish-brown head with a faint white supercilium. Males are distinguished by a small, crimson patch o...
Primarily inhabits dense, mature deciduous and mixed broadleaf forests, often with a preference for areas near watercourses, occurring at elevations ranging from lowland plains up to 2,000 meters.
Feeds predominantly on insect larvae, beetles, ants, and caterpillars extracted from decaying wood and bark, supplemented occasionally by sap, wild fruits, and berries.
The Melancholy Woodpecker is a diurnal species, spending its days methodically foraging and its nights roosting in excavated tree cavities. Foraging involves extensive gleaning and probing on tree trunks and branches, utilizing its stout bill to chip away bark and extract hidden insects, often wo...
The Melancholy Woodpecker is endemic to the humid broadleaf forests of Central and East Africa. Its primary breeding range extends from the Democratic Republic of Congo eastward through Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, reaching into western Kenya and Tanzania. Isolated populations are also found in f...
Near Threatened
- The Melancholy Woodpecker's drumming pattern is surprisingly complex, featuring distinct pauses and accelerations that act as a unique identifier for individuals. - Despite its name, research shows its "melancholy" calls are actually indicators of contentment or territorial advertisement, not s...