Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo [The Democratic Republic of the], Congo [The Democratic Republic of the], Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania [United Republic of], Uganda.
South-western Cameroon east to southern Sudan, western and central Uganda and extreme western Kenya, and south to north-western Angola and south-western and south-central Zaire; unconfirmed sight records from Nigeria thought to be unreliable.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Yellow-crested Woodpecker (Chloropicus xantholophus) [XC451945]
by Frank Lambert from Rondo Retreat garden and nearby trail system, Kakamega Forest, Kakamega County, Kenya (drumming, both sexes drumming. female shorter duration drumming (and louder because nearer)
Yellow-crested Woodpecker (Chloropicus xantholophus) [XC451947]
by Frank Lambert from Rondo Retreat garden and nearby trail system, Kakamega Forest, Kakamega County, Kenya (drumming)