Golden-tailed Woodpecker

Afrikaans name: Goudstertspeg

Golden-tailed Woodpecker

Photo © Steven Herbert

Campethera abingoni

Golden-tailed Woodpeckers are common in suitable habitat in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa they are found in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

They can be found in woodland as well as parks and gardens that have sufficient trees. They can often be heard giving their loud call or tapping away on a branch looking for insects.

The bulk of their diet consists of ants and termites as well as millipedes and the larvae of Mopane Emperor Moth.

Golden-tailed Woodpeckers excavate a cavity for their nest. The nest is used for a couple of years and is normally placed on the underside of a branch. Two or three eggs are laid and both parents tend to the eggs and chicks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	447	Chrysoptilopicus abingoni abingoni
2nd	447	Campethera abingoni
3rd	447	Campethera abingoni
4th	447	Campethera abingoni
5th	483	Campethera abingoni
6th	483	Campethera abingoni
7th	53	Campethera abingoni

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	447	Golden-tailed Woodpecker
2nd	447	Golden-tailed Woodpecker
3rd	447	Golden-tailed Woodpecker
4th	447	Golden-tailed Woodpecker
5th	483	Goldentailed Woodpecker
6th	483	Goldentailed Woodpecker
7th	53	Golden-tailed Woodpecker

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	447	Goudstert-spegt
2nd	447	Goudstert-spegt
3rd	447	Goudstert-spegt
4th	447	Goudstert-spegt
5th	483	Goudstertspeg
6th	483	Goudstertspeg
7th	53	Goudstertspeg

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 134

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 27

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 183

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 270

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 278

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 419

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 416

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 322

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 308

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 240

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 268

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 34

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 268

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 196

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 136

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 160

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 49

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 61

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 144

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 2 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 12

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 318

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 177

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 194

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds