Quick Facts
Facts sourced from Wikidata (CC0).
Conservation Status
Conservation hubClose to qualifying as threatened in the near future.
The ground woodpecker faces threats from habitat loss and degradation due to agriculture and development, as well as potential impacts from climate change. While specific large-scale recovery programs are limited, ongoing research and monitoring are crucial for understanding population dynamics. Responsible safari tourism can help by raising awareness, supporting local conservation initiatives through park fees, and promoting the value of intact natural habitats for species like the ground woodpecker.
The ground woodpecker is one of only three ground-dwelling woodpeckers in the world. It inhabits rather barren, steep, boulder-strewn slopes in relatively cool hilly and mountainous areas of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini and has yet to be recorded outside of Southern Africa. It is found in a broad swath running from southwest to northeast, from the Cape Peninsula and Namaqualand to Mpumalanga. It is closely related to the woodpeckers of the genus Campethera, some of which also employ terrestrial foraging strategies.
Description adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to Find
Top parks for Ground Woodpecker. Sightings recorded in 12 safari areas total.
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