This woodpecker takes its name from the red plumage at the rear of the male’s head, analogous to the scarlet headgear of Catholic cardinals. Most of the world’s many woodpecker species are characterised by red plumage on the crown, at least in the males. The plumage of the upperbody is barred and the underparts are streaked. It is the smallest of the South African woodpeckers, which allows it to forage on thin branches that would not support the body weight of larger members of its family. It is also South Africa’s, and indeed Africa’s, most common and widespread woodpecker, occurring in all woodland types except true forest.

The sharp bill is used to hammer at branches exposing the recesses within which insect larvae and pupae lurk. These are then extracted using the extremely long and barbed tongue possessed by all woodpecker species, and which are so lengthy that they are coiled up into the rear of the skull when retracted. Identical to other woodpeckers, it takes care to conceal itself from potential predators by hiding behind tree trunks.

The typical call is a simple chattering or chuckling. Like many other woodpeckers, it also advertises its presence by producing a distinctive ‘drumming’ sound by rapidly striking a particularly resonant patch of dead wood. It will often return repeatedly to the same suitable spot in this regard, and will also use dried baobab fruits and even metal poles for such acoustic performances.

Bird illustrations are from Sasol Birds of Southern Africa published by Struik Nature. Illustrations © by Norman Arlott are used with kind permission of the Arlott family.
www.struiknature.co.za