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Saw a golden-tailed woodpecker on the S28. Hopefully one of the other okes that got a picture of it will post it.

I saw this goldentailed wookpecker last june at Shingwedzi restcamp in the afternoon ...............

Hello forumites

Could anyone please tell me if I am right in assuming that this is a Bennett's Woodpecker? The hints on previous pages helped me a lot but I am still not sure.
I love to watch and hear woodpeckers but I am not very good at spotting the differences. This picture was taken in Orpen camp, next to the petrol station.

Thanks you very much because I am sure this magnificent forum will help me out (as it did before)!

Hasco, your woodpecker is a golden-tailed woodpecker, young'un. The black moustachial stripe as opposed to red for Bennet's male is the clue. Once you know what to look for and if the angle of the picture allows, you'll find other differences too.

hi

saw it last july in the Okavango Delta

regards

schliek



scond pic I think it is a bennett (long red cap)

Hi Schliek.

Great pic.

Not a professional birder but it looks like the Golden-tailed Woodpecker

Correct me if i am wrong.

Beautiful birds.

I would also go for a Golden Tailed Woodpecker, due to the colouring of the wings and the tail, Campethera abingoni.

I agree

Hi Schliek

I am going to throw a spanner in the works here !! Just looking at the face of the top bird in the picture (very white between the red) it could also be a Bennett's ?? I am in no way an expert but was just my first impression.

Cheers
Trevor

Mmmmmmmmmmm

Now a stiffneck must help

schliek,
It's Golden-tailed WP. The belly looks streaked and not spotted. The throat is mottled not white which is the best features to distinguish from Bennet's. The face looks white but I would say it's because the whites in your photo are burned out leaving no detail..

A couple with their nest:

Oh, nice shot, DQ!