Woodpeckers of the World: Genus: Dendropicos

Monday 10 January 2011

Genus: Dendropicos

The Dendropicos genus comprises 15 small species that are all found in forests and woodlands in sub-Saharan Africa. All are basically green-coloured on the upper parts with pale underparts often barred. Sexual dimorphism is shown in plumage with males having red on the crown or nape which females lack. Some species, eg. Abysinian Woodpecker, Stierling's Woodpecker, Elliot's Woodpecker, have restricted ranges are are rather understudied. Photo: Male Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens, Gambia, Vaughan Ashby.

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Background

Woodpeckers, the Picidae, are Piciformes, an order that includes some of the oldest avian lineages. The Piciformes probably originated about 60 million years ago in the Tertiary period and became distinct from their closest relatives some 50 million years ago. Depending upon which taxonomy is followed, and the fact that the status of some species is unclear, around 240-260 woodpecker species probably exist globally. The Picidae includes three subfamilies: Jynginae (wrynecks), Picumninae (piculets) and the Picinae, the “true woodpeckers”. In terms of size, behaviour, distribution and the habitats they use, the Picinae are a fairly diverse group of birds with six distinct tribes. They are widespread and found from sea-level to high-altitudes but absent from the Arctic, Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Madagascar and some other islands. Worldwide woodpeckers are usually, but not exclusively, associated with trees.