Southern South Africa, from Swellendam region east to extreme southern Natal.
 
Population
Estimated population is 1,500 - 5,000 (2010).
Status NT
Habitat destruvtion through clearance of coastal bush for sugar-cane farming and township development is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Mainly ants and ant larvae. Also wood-boring beetles and their larvae.
Knysna Woodpecker (Campethera) [XC214113]
by Lynette Rudman from Port Alfred (near Bathurst), Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa (call)
Knysna Woodpecker (Campethera notata) [XC333324]
by Lynette Rudman from Grahamstown, Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa (call)
Nest
In a hole excavated in a dead tree trunk or branch.
Eggs (Guide)
Clutch Size: 2 - 4
Incubation: 12 days
Young
Fledge: 21 - 28 days
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) and Mombasa Woodpecker (Campethera mombassica). Variation in plumage darkness and markings rather large, but based on individual rather than geographical differences, so that no subspecies are recognizable.