Their golden-olive tails do not differ markedly from those of several related or sympatric woodpecker species, but their single, strident call-note is characteristic.

[6] The sexes are best distinguished by their head markings, as the red and brown fore-crowns of males differ unmistakably from those of females that are black and spotted white.

The iris is usually dark red but variable,[7] the mandibles slate grey,[3] and the legs and feet greenish-olive.

It obtains most food by probing and gleaning, but also hammers dead or infected wood rather more frequently than other Campethera species.

The tropical race C. a. kavirondensis van Someren, 1926 is olive-green above and more broadly barred, with thinner streaking below.

C. a. suahelica (Reichenow, 1902) which occurs from the Kilimanjaro region to northern Eswatini, is similar to the former but has a yellower toned upper parts.

The nominate race is widespread in arid and mesic woodlands of southern Africa, and has denser throat streaking than C. a. suahelica.

[5] The Mombasa woodpecker has yellower plumage below,[3] has brighter golden-green upper parts, with small white dots and no barring (and never drums).