Eastern grey woodpecker
| Eastern grey woodpecker | |
|---|---|
_(16292485246).jpg) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Piciformes |
| Family: | Picidae |
| Genus: | Dendropicos |
| Species: | D. spodocephalus |
| Binomial name | |
| Dendropicos spodocephalus (Bonaparte, 1850) | |
The eastern grey woodpecker or grey-headed woodpecker (Dendropicos spodocephalus) is a species of bird in the Picidae family. Is a resident breeder in eastern Africa.
Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects.
The adult male eastern grey woodpecker has a red crown. Females have a plain grey head, lacking the red crown. Young birds are like the female, but the reds are paler, and there may be some flank barring.
Like other woodpeckers, this species is an insectivore. It is frequently seen, and regularly taps or drums.
This species and the African grey woodpecker were formerly considered conspecific.
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2014). "Dendropicos spodocephalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.4. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 20 January 2016.