Abyssinian woodpecker

Menelikornis ruspolii

The Abyssinian woodpecker (Menelikornis ruspolii) is a medium-sized woodpecker found in the highland forests of Ethiopia. It is known for its distinctive black and white plumage, with a bright red crown on the male. This species is adept at foraging for insects and larvae in the bark of trees, using its strong bill and long tongue to extract its prey. The Abyssinian woodpecker is often observed in mixed-species flocks, and its drumming sound can be heard echoing through the forest. Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the conservation status of this species is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Habitat: Highland forests of Ethiopia