Abyssinian Woodpecker

Dendropicos abyssinicus

The Abyssinian woodpecker, also known as the golden-backed woodpecker or the golden-mantled woodpecker, is a species of bird in the woodpecker family, Picidae. It is native to Africa, where it occurs in Eritrea and Ethiopia. It appears to be a close relative of the cardinal woodpecker "Dendropicos fuscescens".
Abyssinian Woodpecker - female The only place we saw this woodpecker, endemic to Eritrea/Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa on the mountain that stands above Wondo Genet in a small area of remnant forest. Abyssinian Woodpecker,Dendropicos abyssinicus,Sidama,Wondo Genet

Appearance

The Abyssinian woodpecker is a very small woodpecker with a relatively long and broad bill. It has a golden yellow back and mantle with a bright red rump and barred wings and barred tail, the underparts are pale and heavily streaked with black. The head is striped and the male is distinguished by having a red nape and crown. The brown stripe through the eye and the golden mantle separate this species from the related Cardinal Woodpecker. It measured 16 cm in length and weighs 23–26 g.

Distribution

The Abyssinian woodpecker is endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands. It occurs north, up to central Eritrea and the Degua Tembien mountains in Ethiopia, and east to Harar in Ethiopia and the River Alata, a tributary of the Hanger River.

Status

The Abyssinian woodpecker has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable and is currently classed as Least Concern but it is thought to be decreasing in population and contracting its range due to continuing clearance of woodlands.

Habitat

This species occurs in juniper woods and "Hagenia" forest, also in areas of "Euphorbia", particularly between 1,600 and 3,000 m and occasionally higher. It has also been found in wooded savanna at lower altitudes.

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Status: Least concern
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAves
OrderPiciformes
FamilyPicidae
GenusDendropicos
SpeciesD. abyssinicus
Photographed in
Ethiopia