This woodpecker inhabits African woodland and savanna with tall trees. Males and females differ in head and throat markings, and it may forage for ants on the ground.
Males show a red crown and red cheek stripe. Females have a brown throat and a dark cheek stripe.
It occurs in pairs or small family groups and may search for ants on the ground. Ants, including their eggs and pupae, make up its main food.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.