Nigerian researcher Ayomiposi Ayodele unveils historic discovery of rare woodpecker species in Nigeria

Amid the escalating threats to biodiversity across West Africa, a young Nigerian conservation researcher, Ayomiposi Joy Ayodele, has delivered a groundbreaking contribution to ornithology. His co-authored study has documented, for the very first time, the presence of the elusive Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) in Nigeria, providing strong evidence of an established population within the country’s borders.

The Golden-tailed Woodpecker is typically known to inhabit parts of southern and central Africa. In West Africa, it is one of the least recorded woodpecker species, with sightings scattered across Mauritania, northern Guinea, Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, and Chad. However, until this study, there had been no verified record of the bird in Nigeria, despite speculation that its distribution might be broader than reported.

Ayodele and his colleagues made the historic observation during a field survey conducted between June 15 and 23, 2018, in the Marguba range of the Old Oyo National Park in southwestern Nigeria. This area, characterized by dry deciduous woodland dominated by Afzelia africana and Mangifera indica, became the surprising backdrop for a species previously thought absent from Nigeria’s ecosystem.

“On multiple occasions, we saw, heard, and video-recorded several Golden-tailed Woodpeckers,” Ayodele explained in the published research. “Their vocalizations, appearance, and behavior matched existing scientific descriptions, confirming their identity beyond reasonable doubt.” One adult male, caught in a mist net, was weighed and measured—providing physical evidence to strengthen the documentation.

The study carefully distinguishes this species from more common local woodpeckers such as the Fine-spotted Woodpecker (Campethera punctuligera) and the Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens). The captured individual had bold black streaks on pale yellow underparts, olive-green upperparts, a golden-yellow tail with brownish bars, and black-and-red facial markings—precisely consistent with taxonomic accounts.

Notably, the birds were observed daily throughout the survey period, seen alone, in pairs, and in small flocks of up to four individuals. “Such consistent sightings suggest not just a casual presence, but a resident breeding population,” Ayodele emphasized, hinting at broader ecological implications for the region.

Interestingly, the area had recently experienced fire outbreaks, leading to the abundance of dry trees and snags—conditions that likely attracted the woodpeckers, which prefer nesting in deadwood. The team hypothesized that these altered environmental conditions may have contributed to the visibility and habitat preference of the birds during the study.

Beyond ornithological value, the discovery reaffirms the ecological significance of Old Oyo National Park, one of Nigeria’s lesser-known but biologically rich conservation areas. The presence of the Golden-tailed Woodpecker elevates the park’s importance as a haven for rare and understudied species.

Published in Malimbus, West Africa’s leading journal on ornithology, the paper represents a major milestone in Nigerian biodiversity documentation. It also lends support to earlier suspicions by ornithologists that the Golden-tailed Woodpecker might have expanded eastward from Ghana and Benin, following suitable habitat corridors.

Ayodele’s involvement in this research is not a one-off achievement. A committed conservationist, he has actively contributed to bird diversity studies, climate resilience programs, and public education campaigns on environmental issues. His leadership, both in fieldwork and research coordination, is widely recognized by peers and mentors alike.

According to Mr. Oluwaseyi Olawuyi, a renowned environmental consultant and DeserTech Innovation Leader for the Great Green Wall, “Ayomiposi’s rapid rise in the field of biological research is a product of deep commitment, intellectual curiosity, and hands-on experience. His work in documenting the Golden-tailed Woodpecker is only one of many contributions he has made to ecological science in Africa.”

Ayodele’s early exposure to ornithology came in 2019 through a prestigious scholarship to attend the Introductory Ornithological Field Course at the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute. There, he quickly distinguished himself by leading a team project on bird diversity in cocoa and cashew plantations—a study that deepened his skills in ecological survey, data analysis, and species identification.

His ability to translate research into action has also led him to manage biodiversity hubs, secure grant funding, and train young scientists in conservation tools such as GIS and solar-powered technology. In the same spirit, his work continues to fuel awareness through public lectures, media advocacy, and youth engagement on biodiversity and sustain