Campethera

The genus Campethera was introduced by the English zoologist George Robert Gray in 1841 with the little green woodpecker (Campethera maculosa) as the type species.{{ cite book | last=Gray | author-link=George Robert Gray | year=1841 | title=A List of the Genera of Birds : with their Synonyma and an Indication of the Typical Species of Each Genus | edition=2nd | place=London | publisher=R. and J.E. Taylor | page=70 | url=https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/14050301 }} The generic name combines the Ancient Greek kampē meaning "caterpillar" and -thēras meaning "hunter".{{cite book | last=Jobling | first=James A. | year=2010| title=The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | url=https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling | publisher=Christopher Helm | location=London | isbn=978-1-4081-2501-4 | page=[https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling/page/n87 87] }}

Species diversity in the "Campethera clade" is believed to be understated, and up to 18 species may be involved.{{cite journal |last1=Fuchs |first1=Jérôme |last2=Pons |first2=Jean-Marc |last3=Bowie |first3=Rauri C.K. |title=Biogeography and diversification dynamics of the African woodpeckers |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |date=March 2017 |volume=108 |pages=88–100 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2017.01.007 |pmid=28089840 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2017MolPE.108...88F }} The following 11 species are currently recognized:{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | year=2019 | title=Woodpeckers | work=World Bird List Version 10.2 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/woodpeckers/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | accessdate=6 August 2019 }}

They are small to medium-sized woodpeckers.{{cite book |last1=Gorman |first1=Gerard |title=Woodpeckers of the World: The Complete Guide (Helm Photographic Guides) |date=2014 |publisher=Bloomsbury |location=London |isbn=978-1408147153 |page=165}} The sexes are fairly similar, but males of most species have the crown and nape bright red, while in females this is restricted to the nape. Colour of the malar plumage is also useful in sexing.

Their plumage pattern is fairly uniform, and some species are only distinguishable by careful observation. The mantle, back and wings are olive-greenish, and usually spotted or barred in buffy to golden yellow. The shafts of the remiges and rectrices are yellow to golden yellow. The underpart plumage is spotted black to a lesser or greater degree.

Some species include drumming on dead wood as a means of non-vocal signaling. Most species are poor drummers however, and some species may not drum at all.

Their rectrices are only partially stiffened (for arboreal support), and they readily take to terrestrial foraging. Ants and termites form important components of their diet. These are lapped up with a flexible and sticky tongue.

Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) juvenile ... (32481247024).jpg|{{center|C. abingoni juvenile peeking from nest}}

Bennett's Woodpecker, Campethera bennettii at Marakele National Park, Limpopo, South Africa ( male displaying) (16093228688).jpg|{{center|Yellow remige and rectrice shafts in C. bennettii (male)}}

Bennett's Woodpecker, Campethera bennettii at Marakele National Park. Note the extended tongue catching an ant on the ground. (14077749051).jpg|{{center|Terrestrial foraging in C. bennettii (male)}}

Nubian Woodpecker RWD3.jpg|{{center|Arboreal foraging in C. nubica (female)}}

{{reflist}}

{{Cavitaves|Pi.|state=collapsed}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q278941}}

Category:Bird genera

Category:Birds of Sub-Saharan Africa

Category:Taxa named by George Robert Gray

Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot

{{woodpecker-stub}}