Bennett's Woodpecker

Afrikaans name: Bennettse Speg

Bennett's Woodpecker

Photo © Steven Herbert

Campethera bennettii

This is a woodpecker that is a bit confused. It is often seen on the ground catching ants.

The Bennett's Woodpecker is found in northern KwaZulu-Natal through Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Beyound South Africa's borders is occurs as far north as Tanzania.

Despite often feeding on the ground it does at least nest in holes in trees. It quite often takes over the nest previously made by other woodpeckers. Up to 6 eggs are laid.

The male Bennett's Woodpecker has an all red crown and a red 'moustache'. The female has a brown 'moustache' and the red on her head stops short of the bill and is replaced by black.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	446	Chrysoptilopicus bennettii bennettii
2nd	446	Campethera bennettii
3rd	446	Campethera bennettii
4th	446	Campethera bennettii
5th	481	Campethera bennettii
6th	481	Campethera bennettii
7th	51	Campethera bennettii

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	446	Bennett’s Woodpecker
2nd	446	Bennett’s Woodpecker
3rd	446	Bennett’s Woodpecker
4th	446	Bennett’s Woodpecker
5th	481	Bennett’s Woodpecker
6th	481	Bennett’s Woodpecker
7th	51	Bennett’s Woodpecker

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	446	Bennettse Spegt
2nd	446	Bennettse Spegt
3rd	446	Bennettse Spegt
4th	446	Bennettse Spegt
5th	481	Bennettse Speg
6th	481	Bennettse Speg
7th	51	Bennettspeg

References and further reading

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

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

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 28

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

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

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 415

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 418

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 307

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 319

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

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 239

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

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 194

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

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: 159

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

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

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 90

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

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 90

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds