Ground Woodpecker

Geocolaptes olivaceus (Gmelin, JF, 1788)

Picidae — Woodpeckers

Ground Woodpecker, Geocolaptes olivaceus, is a woodpecker in the family Picidae and the order Piciformes. It breeds in southern Africa, occurring in South Africa and Lesotho. It was described by Gmelin, JF, in 1788.

Order
Piciformes
Family
Picidae — Woodpeckers
Breeding range
Africa: South Africa and Lesotho
Ground Woodpecker
© Roland Riedel · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

8 tours in South Africa

Eastern South Africa Endemics with Lawson's Safaris
Eastern South Africa Endemics with Lawson's Safaris
South Africa / Umhlanga Group tour 16 days

Pursue eastern South African endemics over 16 days from KwaZulu-Natal forests and Sani Pass to Wakkerstroom, Kruger and Magoebaskloof....

From ZAR 89,800 Next: Nov 14, 2026
8-Day St Lucia and Sani Pass Birding Tour
8-Day St Lucia and Sani Pass Birding Tour
South Africa / Durban Private tour 8 days

An 8-day KwaZulu-Natal birding itinerary linking Umdoni, Oribi Gorge, Ingeli Forest, Sani Pass, Eshowe, St Lucia and iSimangaliso....

3-Day Cape Town Birding Tour
3-Day Cape Town Birding Tour
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 3 days

Spend three days linking Cape Town fynbos, False Bay, endemic-rich mountain slopes, penguin coast and the Cape Peninsula....

10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 10 days

A private or small-group Western Cape birding itinerary from Cape Town through the Cape Peninsula, West Coast, Tankwa Karoo, Agulhas Plain, ...

Private Cape Peninsula Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
Private Cape Peninsula Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 1 day

A flexible private day from Cape Town combining Kirstenbosch, peninsula wetlands and an African Penguin colony, with Cape endemics and coast...

From ZAR 7,000
Private Cape Mountains and Fynbos Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
Private Cape Mountains and Fynbos Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 1 day

A private full-day route from Cape Town to Rooi Els, Betty's Bay and the fynbos coast, focused on Cape endemics, African Penguins and wetlan...

From ZAR 7,000
Private 3-Day Tankwa Karoo Birding Tour with Birding Ecotours
Private 3-Day Tankwa Karoo Birding Tour with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 3 days

A private three-day circuit from Cape Town through Ceres into the Tankwa Karoo for arid-zone endemics, canyon specialists and optional night...

From ZAR 17,550
Private 3-Day Agulhas Plains Birding Trip with Birding Ecotours
Private 3-Day Agulhas Plains Birding Trip with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 3 days

A private three-day journey from Cape Town across mountain fynbos and the Overberg to De Hoop, built around cranes, bustards, larks and regi...

From ZAR 17,920