Woodpeckers and allies in Uganda

Woodpeckers and allies in Uganda are small birds, although some are medium-sized. They have Chisel like bills, stiff tails, short legs and long tongues. They use the long tongues to capture insects. Some of these species have two toes pointing forward and the other two backwards. Some of the species actually have just three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 19 species of this family that live in Uganda of the 218 that occur in the world.

Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla

Rufous-necked Wryneck Jynx ruficollis

African Piculet Sasia africana

Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica

Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa

Golden-crowned Woodpecker Dendropicos xantholophus

Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens

Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis

Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii

Tullberg’s Woodpecker Campethera tullbergi

Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus

Brown-backed Woodpecker Dendropicos obsoletus

Elliot’s Woodpecker Dendropicos elliotii

Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae

Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus

Bennett’s Woodpecker Campethera bennettii

Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni

Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli

Speckle-breasted Woodpecker Dendropicos poecilolaemus

Book your Uganda birding trip with Africa Adventure Vacations to spot several Woodpeckers and allies in Uganda and other bird species.