Genus: Sasia

This genus hosts three Old World species, one in Africa, two in Asia. Though geographically separated, these species are similar in many aspects of behaviour and share some distinct morphological features such as an obvious orbital ring of flesh and round cross-section of the upper mandible. Yet, some unusual morphological differences also exist: the two Asian species have 10 tail feathers and 3 toes, lacking the first toe, while the African has 8 tail feathers and 4 toes, with first digit thin and reduced. Photo of this African Piculet Sasia africana taken in Ghana, January 2013, by Gerard Gorman.