Reichenow woodpecker

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Reichenow woodpecker
Systematics
Order : Woodpecker birds (Piciformes)
Family : Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Subfamily : Real woodpeckers (Picinae)
Genre : Spotted Woodpecker ( Campethera )
Type : Reichenow woodpecker
Scientific name
Campethera scriptoricauda
( Reichenow , 1896)

The Reichenowspecht ( Campethera scriptoricauda ) is a species of bird from the family of woodpeckers (Picidae). The relatively small distribution area of ​​the species covers part of East Africa from east and south Tanzania to central Mozambique . The Reichenow woodpecker lives in open or semi-open tree-lined habitats such as open woodland, savannah and thorn bush savannah . The food mainly consists of ants and their larvae.

The species status of the Reichenow woodpecker is controversial. Since 1993 it has only been listed as a subspecies of the Bennett woodpecker ( C. bennettii ) by BirdLife International and is therefore not assigned to any endangerment category. In 1988, the last listing with recognition as a species, it was classified by BirdLife International as “least concern”.

description

Reichenow woodpeckers are small woodpeckers with a medium-long beak. The ridge of the beak is slightly bent downwards. The body length is about 22 cm, which makes them about the size of a medium- sized woodpecker . Information on weight is not available. Overall, the species is very similar to the nominate form of the Bennett woodpecker and, like the latter, shows a clear sexual dimorphism in terms of coloration .

In the male, the upper side including the rump and upper wing-coverts as well as the lower wing-coverts are banded yellow and white on a greenish beige-brown background. The wings are brown with greenish lined outer flags and yellowish white bands on the inner flags . The tail top is brown and pale yellow quergebändert, the underside is yellowish, often show the tail feathers black lace. The basic color of the underside of the trunk is pale yellow, often with a golden brown tinge on the chest. Because of this, the chest shows strong dark spots, which are usually sparse on the flanks. The under tail-coverts are mostly spotted or cross-banded on a white background.

The forehead, skull and neck are red, on the forehead the red feathers have a gray base. There is a dark brown stripe behind the eye and the back of the ear covers are dashed with light to medium black dots. A wide red stripe of beard with isolated black feathers extends from the base of the beak to under the ear covers. The sides of the head are otherwise white, the throat and chin are clearly spotted black on a white background.

Females have a black forehead and an equally colored front skull with white spots; The back of the head and neck are red like the male. The streak of beard is black with dense white spots.

The beak is dark gray, the base half of the lower mandible is extensive light yellow yellow-green. The legs and toes are bluish gray to gray-green. The iris is red in adult birds and dark brown in juvenile plumage.

Vocalizations

The calls are similar to those of the Bennett woodpecker.

Systematics

The intraspecies variability is low and no subspecies are recognized. The species status of the Reichenow woodpecker is not undisputed and since 1993 it has only been listed as a subspecies of the Bennett woodpecker ( C. bennettii ) by BirdLife International . Overall, however, the taxon is mostly granted species status today. According to Winkler et al. it forms a super species with the spotted woodpecker ( C. punctuligera ), the Bennett woodpecker and the nubian woodpecker ( C. nubica ).

distribution and habitat

The relatively small distribution area of ​​the species covers part of East Africa from the east and south of Tanzania south to central Mozambique , in the west to the area around Nsanje in the extreme south of Malawi .

The species inhabits open or semi-open tree-lined habitats such as open woodland, savannah and thorn bush savannah .

Way of life

Reichenow woodpeckers are not very loud and even chopping is very cautious. The food mainly consists of ants and their larvae.

Reichenow woodpeckers breed in Malawi in October and November. The caves are created in dead trees or palms. The clutch consists of 3 eggs, further information on the brood biology is not yet available.

Existence and endangerment

The Reichenow woodpecker has only been listed as a subspecies of the Bennett woodpecker by BirdLife International since 1993 and is therefore not assigned to a hazard category. In 1988, the last listing with recognition as a species, it was classified by BirdLife International as “least concern”.

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ^ The Reichenowspecht at Avibase (online, accessed April 29, 2011)
  2. ↑ Hans Winkler, David A. Christie and David Nurney: Woodpeckers. A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets, and Wrynecks of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge 1995: p. 229
  3. ↑ The Reichenow Woodpecker at BirdLife International (Online, accessed April 29, 2011)

literature

  • Hans Winkler , David A. Christie and David Nurney: Woodpeckers. A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets, and Wrynecks of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge 1995, ISBN 0-395-72043-5 , pp. 70-71 and 229-230.

Web links