The Gabon woodpecker is a species of small woodpecker in the family Picidae which occurs in western central Africa.
Region
Guineo-Congolian rainforest belt (West-Central Africa)
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Nigeria and Cameroon through Equatorial Guinea and Gabon into the Republic of the Congo and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with records also in Cabinda (Angola). It favors primary and mature secondary lowland rainforest, including swamp forest, riverine forest, and forest edges. The species is most often encountered in the lower to mid-canopy, working trunks, larger branches, and lianas. It tolerates lightly logged forest and edges but is less frequent in open or heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Gabon woodpecker is a small, forest-dwelling woodpecker of the Guineo-Congolian rainforests in west-central Africa. It forages quietly on trunks and larger branches, often in the shaded interior of humid lowland forest. Males show a red crown, while females have a darker, spotted crown, a helpful field mark when seen well. Its rapid, high-pitched calls and brief drumming sequences help locate it in dense foliage.
Dendropicos gabonensis Keulemans
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks in the midstory. Pairs maintain territories and excavate nest cavities in dead or decaying wood. Both sexes likely share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Breeding timing varies locally with rainy seasons.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp, high-pitched pic or kik notes and short rattling series that carry through forest. Drumming is brief and subdued compared to larger woodpeckers, often a short roll on resonant limbs.
