Bennett's Woodpecker

Afrikaans name: Bennettse Speg

Bennett's Woodpecker

Photo © Steven Herbert

Campethera bennettii

This is a woodpecker that is a bit confused. It is often seen on the ground catching ants.

The Bennett's Woodpecker is found in northern KwaZulu-Natal through Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Beyound South Africa's borders is occurs as far north as Tanzania.

Despite often feeding on the ground it does at least nest in holes in trees. It quite often takes over the nest previously made by other woodpeckers. Up to 6 eggs are laid.

The male Bennett's Woodpecker has an all red crown and a red 'moustache'. The female has a brown 'moustache' and the red on her head stops short of the bill and is replaced by black.

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References and further reading

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 90

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 90

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 144

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 159

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 49

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 136

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 194

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 268

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 268

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 183

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 307

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 319

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 418

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 415

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 270

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 278

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 28

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 134

List of South African Birds