Dendrocoptes medius
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Mass
~60 g
Habitat
Woodlands and parks
Diet
Insects and invertebrates
How to recognize it
The Middle Spotted Woodpecker has the familiar black-and-white woodpecker look, but it comes across as a little neater and more compact than the Great Spotted. What stands out most is the rounded head, short fine bill, and a calm, busy way of moving through the trees.
It spends much of its time high in the canopy and keeps shifting from one spot to another, so it is easy to miss in action. It drums rarely, but it is not quiet, especially from late winter into spring, when its nasal, mewing calls carry through the woods.
It is tied to mature deciduous and mixed woodland, especially places with old oaks and plenty of weakened trees. The diet is mostly insects and larvae, with acorns, seeds, and nuts added in colder months. It is largely sedentary, though outside the breeding season it may wander a bit.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Middle Spotted Woodpecker has the familiar black-and-white woodpecker look, but it comes across as a little neater and more compact than the Great Spotted. What stands out most is the rounded head, short fine bill, and a calm, busy way of moving through the trees.
It spends much of its time high in the canopy and keeps shifting from one spot to another, so it is easy to miss in action. It drums rarely, but it is not quiet, especially from late winter into spring, when its nasal, mewing calls carry through the woods.
It is tied to mature deciduous and mixed woodland, especially places with old oaks and plenty of weakened trees. The diet is mostly insects and larvae, with acorns, seeds, and nuts added in colder months. It is largely sedentary, though outside the breeding season it may wander a bit.
