Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos major
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a striking bird with bold black and white plumage. It has a distinctive black back with large white shoulder patches, white cheeks, and a white belly. The undertail coverts are bright red. Each wing has a prominent white bar and several white spots.
Males have a red patch on the nape, which females lack. Juveniles can be identified by a red crown, which is absent in adults. The bird's strong, chisel-like bill is perfectly adapted for drumming and foraging on trees.
Size
Length
23cm to 26cm
Wingspan
38cm to 44cm
Weight
70g to 98g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black White
Secondary Colour
Red
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Great Spotted Woodpeckers are widely distributed across Europe and parts of Asia. They inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks, and large gardens. In the UK, they are resident and can be found throughout England, Wales, and Scotland.
These adaptable birds have also colonised urban areas with sufficient mature trees. Their range has been expanding northwards in recent decades, possibly due to climate change and increased winter feeding by humans.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,500 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker demonstrates remarkable agility in its bounding flight pattern and ability to manoeuvre swiftly between trees. Its capacity to drum up to 20 times per second also indicates exceptional dexterity and precision.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not exceptionally large, this woodpecker possesses considerable strength for its size. Its ability to excavate nesting holes in wood and extract wood-boring insects suggests robust musculature, particularly in the neck and bill.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
The species shows high adaptability, having successfully colonised urban areas and expanded its range northwards. Its varied diet and ability to utilise bird feeders further demonstrate its adaptiveness to changing environments.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers are generally not overly aggressive, but they do exhibit territorial behaviour during breeding season through drumming displays. They may also compete for food sources, particularly at feeders.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The bird's ability to drum repeatedly and forage extensively indicates good endurance. Its capacity to excavate nesting holes and care for young over an extended period also suggests considerable stamina. However, as a medium-sized bird, its overall endurance may be limited compared to larger species.
Diet
Great Spotted Woodpeckers have a varied diet that includes insects, larvae, and seeds. They are particularly fond of wood-boring beetles and their larvae, which they extract from trees using their strong bills. In winter, they frequently visit bird feeders, preferring peanuts and suet.
Behaviour
Great Spotted Woodpeckers are known for their characteristic drumming on trees, which serves both for foraging and communication. They move in a distinctive bounding flight pattern between trees. These birds are generally solitary but may form loose flocks in winter, often joining mixed-species feeding groups.
Vocalisation
The Great Spotted Woodpecker's call is a sharp, loud 'kik' or 'tchik'. During the breeding season, their distinctive drumming serves as a territorial signal and mating call. This rapid series of pecks lasts about a second and sounds like a short burst of 'drrrrrrr', often amplified by choosing resonant dead branches.
One of their most distinctive sounds is made by tapping on hollow resonant wood rather than calling. Males, and occasionally females, also produce a rapid rolling drumming sound that lasts about two seconds.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Great Spotted Woodpeckers typically begins in late April or early May. Males attract females through drumming displays and calls.
Both sexes excavate a new nesting hole each year, usually in a tree with soft or decaying wood. The female lays 4-7 glossy white eggs in the bare wood cavity.
Incubation lasts about 12 days, with both parents sharing duties. Nestlings fledge after 20-23 days but may return to the nest for several weeks. Parents continue to feed fledglings for up to 10 days after leaving the nest.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Great Spotted Woodpecker is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.
In many areas, particularly in the UK and parts of Europe, populations have been increasing, possibly due to adaptation to human-modified habitats and increased availability of bird feeders.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their loud, rhythmic drumming on trees
- Look for their undulating flight pattern between trees
- Check bird feeders, especially those with peanuts or suet
- In the UK, visit deciduous or mixed woodlands year-round
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include sparrowhawks, goshawks, and domestic cats. Squirrels and woodpeckers may prey on eggs and nestlings.
Did You Know?
- Great Spotted Woodpeckers have shock-absorbing tissue between their bills and skulls to prevent brain damage from repeated pecking.
- They can drum up to 20 times per second.
- In some areas, they've learned to punch holes in milk bottle tops to drink the cream.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Dendrocopos major. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22681124A87323054.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC
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