Want to know where and when to find Bennetts Woodpecker? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see Bennetts Woodpecker in South Africa
About the Bennetts Woodpecker
Bennett's woodpecker is a small African woodpecker associated with dry woodland, savanna and thornveld. It has cryptic brown, black and pale plumage adapted for life among tree bark and branches, with males showing additional colour around the face. It uses its strong bill to excavate bark and wood while searching for insects and their larvae, but also consumes other invertebrates and occasionally fruit. It is usually encountered singly or in pairs and is often detected by its drumming and calls.
How to identify the Bennetts Woodpecker
Small to medium-sized woodpecker with a greenish-brown back, pale barred underparts and a distinctive pale eyebrow stripe. The bill is short and sturdy, and males typically have a reddish crown or forehead.
Did you know?
Bennett’s Woodpeckers use their strong bills to excavate insects from wood and also create nesting cavities that can later provide shelter for other cavity-dependent species.
Also known as: Bennettse Speg, Woodpecker
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for Bennetts Woodpecker, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.