Stierling's Woodpecker

The Stierling's woodpecker, a bird of modest size, measures approximately 17.5 cm in length. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the male is adorned with a vibrant red mid-crown and nape, while the female sports a brown crown with delicate pale streaks and a contrasting black nape. Both sexes share an olive brown plumage on their upper parts and a white or cream underbelly with tasteful brown markings. Their faces, necks, chins, and throats are a pristine white, accented by a brown eye band that extends across the ear coverts and a malar streak of the same hue reaching down to the breast. The wings present a brown upper side and a white underside, and the tail is brown with a buff tip and a pale underbelly. The beak is a dignified grey, lightening towards the base, and the legs are either grey or olive. A reddish iris completes their striking visage.

Identification Tips

When identifying Stierling's woodpecker, look for the distinctive red patch on the male's head and the streaked brown crown on the female. Their olive brown upper parts and white or cream underparts with brown markings are also key characteristics. The brown eye band and malar streak are notable features, as is the buff-tipped brown tail.

Habitat

Stierling's woodpecker is a denizen of the open miombo woodlands, preferring these environments over dense forests. It thrives at elevations reaching up to 1,500 meters.

Distribution

This species is endemic to southeastern Africa, with its range encompassing southern Tanzania, southwestern Malawi, and northern Mozambique.

Behaviour

In its quest for sustenance, Stierling's woodpecker forages in the middle and upper canopy, focusing on branches between 4 and 12 cm in diameter. This foraging strategy likely reduces competition with the cardinal woodpecker, which favors smaller branches and twigs. Occasionally, it may take to the air to snatch winged termites, although it is not as skilled in aerial hunting as some other woodpecker species.

Breeding

Breeding for Stierling's woodpecker is thought to occur from July to October. The birds craft their nests within tree cavities, providing a secure environment for their offspring.

Similar Species

While observing these birds, one might consider the possibility of confusing them with other woodpecker species. However, the unique coloration of the male's crown and the female's streaked head, along with their specific foraging habits, help distinguish them from their congeners.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of Stierling's woodpecker consists primarily of insects, centipedes, and other invertebrates, which it diligently searches for in the canopy.

Conservation Status

With a somewhat restricted and patchy distribution, Stierling's woodpecker is considered an uncommon species. The miombo woodland, its preferred habitat, is under threat from deforestation for firewood and tobacco drying practices. As a result, the species is increasingly reliant on remaining woodland fragments and forest reserves. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified Stierling's woodpecker as "Near Threatened" due to these pressures on its habitat.