Dendrocopos major
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Mass
~75 g
Habitat
Woodlands and parks
Diet
Omnivore
How to recognize it
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a noisy, active tree-climber. In towns, it is easiest to notice by its bold black-and-white look and the red patch under the tail, with the male also showing a red mark on the back of the head.
It spends most of its time on trunks, moving upward in quick steps and bracing itself with a stiff tail. Its presence is often betrayed by a sharp call and short bursts of drumming on dry branches or trunks, heard in any season.
It uses all kinds of woodland, as well as older parks and gardens with large trees. In summer it takes insects and larvae; in autumn and winter it switches to seeds, nuts, and acorns, and in many places stays year-round.
Quick Facts
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a noisy, active tree-climber. In towns, it is easiest to notice by its bold black-and-white look and the red patch under the tail, with the male also showing a red mark on the back of the head.
It spends most of its time on trunks, moving upward in quick steps and bracing itself with a stiff tail. Its presence is often betrayed by a sharp call and short bursts of drumming on dry branches or trunks, heard in any season.
It uses all kinds of woodland, as well as older parks and gardens with large trees. In summer it takes insects and larvae; in autumn and winter it switches to seeds, nuts, and acorns, and in many places stays year-round.
