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Gray-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) — photo 1 of 5
© Andrey Tsvirenko CC BY-SA 3.0

Woodpeckers

Gray-headed Woodpecker

Picus canus

Year-round

Voice

Call

Alexander Kürthy

0:19

Call

Matěj Tvarůžka

1:09

Call

Alexander Kürthy

0:18

How to recognize it

  • Eurasian Green Woodpecker-sized, slightly smaller and slimmer

  • Ash-grey head; male with only a small red forecrown

  • Olive-green back, pale grey underparts

  • Thin black moustache stripe; call a soft, drawn-out, descending series

About the species

The Gray-headed Woodpecker feels more restrained than many of its woodland relatives. In daily life, it is easiest to notice as a fairly compact woodpecker with a pale grey head, a finer bill, and a quieter, less flashy look.

It moves actively but cautiously, often working the ground or probing dead and damaged wood for insect tunnels. In spring, its drawn-out, melodic whistle is the most memorable sound, while disturbed ones give short sharp notes; females sing more quietly and more raspingly.

It favors open deciduous and mixed woods, old parks, orchards, and other places with scattered trees. Ants and termites make up most of its diet, but it also takes other insects, and in autumn and winter adds berries, fruit, nuts, and acorns. In colder periods it may wander, while in the tropics it stays put.

Where to find

  • In mature city parks with big deciduous trees and a few dead trunks, Gray-headed Woodpecker gives itself away by a soft, descending “kew-kew-kew” from the top branches.

  • Along canal banks and poplar-lined paths, watch for it on the ground, making short hops while probing turf and soil for ants.

  • Near pond edges with reed patches and old fruit trees, look for ground feeding in the early morning.

  • In winter, it often drops to damaged trunks at the edge of larger parks and orchards, picking at soft, decaying bark.

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Sources