Woodpeckers
Great Spotted Woodpecker
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Dendrocopos major
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Voice
Alarm
Call
Call
How to recognize it
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Medium-sized black-and-white woodpecker; large white shoulder patch
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Red lower belly and undertail; male with red nape patch
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White cheek with a black moustachial stripe reaching the nape
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Sharp “kik”, very fast short drumming on dead wood
About the species
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.
Did you know?
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Raids tree sparrow nests
The great spotted woodpecker is also a nest predator — it raids tree sparrow broods alongside little owls, weasels, stoats and martens.
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Irrupts with the crossbills
The great spotted woodpecker is an irruptive migrant tied to spruce — it emigrates in the same poor-cone years as the common crossbill, since both depend heavily on spruce seeds.
Where to find
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In old parks and garden squares with large trees — especially where dead limbs stand out, it gives itself away with sharp calls and rapid drumming from the canopy.
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Along canal banks, pond edges, and reedy lake shores — look low on the trunk, climbing upward in short hops while tapping into bark.
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In winter near feeders, courtyards, and waste spots — comes for seeds, suet, and kitchen scraps.
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In early spring on old poplars, willows, and lindens — watch for fresh nest holes and woodpecker work on trees with soft, crumbling bark.
