The cardinal woodpecker is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It occurs in a wide range of habitats, ranging from dense forest to thorn bush. It is fairly vocal and is easily identified by its call notes. The sexes are distinguishable by their head patterns.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from West to East and southern Africa, in habitats ranging from moist forests and miombo to savanna, thornveld, riparian strips, and suburban parks. It frequents edges, clearings, and secondary growth where small-diameter branches are abundant. Often uses acacias and other thorny trees as foraging substrates. Readily occupies gardens and farmland trees provided there is some standing dead wood. Avoids treeless open grasslands and dense rainforest interiors.
Altitude Range
0–2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The cardinal woodpecker is one of Africa’s smallest woodpeckers, yet it delivers a surprisingly loud drum on dead branches. Males show a red crown while females lack it, making the sexes easy to tell apart. It adapts well to varied habitats from dense woodland to thorn scrub and even gardens. Its rapid, high-pitched calls often reveal its presence before it is seen.
Female on a tree
Male parent feeding a single male chick, which is almost ready to fledge
Male of the western cardinal woodpecker, D. f. lafresnayi
Male of D. f. lepidus which lacks barring on the mantle
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories year-round. Pairs excavate nest cavities in dead wood or soft limbs and share incubation and feeding duties. Clutch is typically 2–4 glossy white eggs. Often joins mixed-species foraging parties outside the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, high-pitched pik and chik notes, often delivered in quick series. Drumming is a brief, rapid roll on resonant dead branches. Calls carry well and are a primary cue for detection.
Plumage
Fine black-and-white barring on the back and wings with buff to whitish underparts heavily streaked dark. Crown red in males, replaced by brownish/black-and-white mottling in females. Face shows pale supercilium and darker eye-stripe with a narrow malar stripe. Tail dark with pale barring.
Diet
Primarily feeds on ants, termites, beetles, and their larvae, gleaned from bark and small branches. Probes crevices, taps to locate hidden larvae, and occasionally hawks small insects in short sallies. Will take spiders and other small arthropods. Occasionally consumes a little sap or fruit, especially in the dry season.
Preferred Environment
Forages on small to medium branches, twigs, and dead stubs, often in the mid to upper canopy. Frequently uses thorny acacias and other open-canopy trees along woodland edges and in gardens. Takes advantage of snags and dead limbs for drumming and excavation.
