Olive Woodpecker

The Olive Woodpecker is a widely recognized species across southern and eastern Africa, including South Africa, where it is a familiar visitor to well-wooded gardens as well as natural forest and forest-fynbos margins. Its olive-green back and contrasting grey head are the main features to note.

It is generally smaller than some of its grey-headed relatives found further north on the continent.

• Back and wing feathers are olive-green, typically less saturated than in some tropical relatives
• Head and face feathers are grey, contrasting with the greener back
• Males show a red patch on the crown, absent in females
• Underparts are a muted olive-grey, without strong barring
• Tail feathers are dark and stiffened for trunk support

Males show a red crown patch; females have an all-grey crown without red. Juveniles are duller overall with softer contrast between head and back. A single molt follows the breeding season.

• Found across southern and eastern Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and neighboring countries
• Favors forest, forest-fynbos margins, and well-wooded gardens and parks
• Resident, non-migratory

This species forages on trunks and branches for insects, and is a regular visitor to gardens with mature trees. It gives sharp calls and drums to communicate, particularly during the breeding season. Nest cavities are excavated in dead wood within forest or garden settings.