About Campethera punctuligera (Wagler, 1827)
This species, commonly called the fine-spotted woodpecker, has a scientific name of Campethera punctuligera (Wagler, 1827). This bird reaches 22 cm (8.7 in) in length, and has the typical woodpecker body shape. Its upperparts are green, marked with small pale spots; the rump and tail instead have pale bars. Its underparts are whitish or yellowish, with fine dark spots covering the breast, belly, and flanks. The head is whitish with greyer cheeks and chin, which also have tiny dark spots. Adult males have a red crown and red moustachial stripes. Females have a dark forecrown, with red only on the rear half of the crown, and do not have red moustaches. Young birds resemble females, but their green plumage is darker. Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail that provides support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl (or "yoked") feet with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. Its long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects. This is a vocal species, and its call is a loud kip-kip-kip-kiech-kiech-kiech. The fine-spotted woodpecker is native to the Sudan region and adjacent areas. Its typical habitat includes wooded savannah, scrub, and grassland with scattered Acacia and other trees. Like other woodpeckers, this species is insectivorous. It is a specialist feeder on termites, is frequently seen near termite mounds, and picks insects off of trees and the ground. It often forages in small family groups, and may join mixed-species bird flocks. Its nest is built in a tree hole, often in an oil palm, and its clutch contains two or three white eggs.
