Female Greater Spotted Woodpeckers (Male vs Female Identification)

The UK’s most common woodpecker, great spotted woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major) live in woodlands and parklands, but may also be spotted in gardens, visiting peanut feeders. Their striking black, white and red plumage makes them easy to identify.

But do males and females look alike? How do you tell the difference between male and female great spotted woodpeckers? Read on to become an expert!

Both male and female great spotted woodpeckers are mainly black and white, although females do not have the patch of red on their necks, which is seen in the males. Both sexes are the same size, and pairs share responsibilities for nest-building and raising young.

Great spotted woodpeckers are known for their intense drumming sound, and bouncing flight. We’ll be finding out whether there’s any variation in vocal behaviour and flight pattern between the sexes.

Our in-depth guide also explores the appearance and nesting habits of female great spotted woodpeckers, so read on if you’re interested in learning more.

Great Spotted Woodpecker females lack the red path on the head that males have

How can you tell if a Great Spotted Woodpecker is male or female?

Male and female great spotted woodpeckers are the same size, and both share the same distinctive black and white barred markings, and white breast with scarlet underbelly. However, adult males have a red patch on their neck, at the base of its crown, which is absent in females.

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker

What does a female Great Spotted Woodpecker look like?

Female great spotted woodpeckers are black, white and red, roughly the same size as blackbirds and starlings, and have a long, stout grey bill, and short grey legs.

Female great spotted woodpecker have a black crown and white cheeks, which are marked with a black facial stripe that runs from the base of the bill, meeting another black stripe that runs up the side of the neck. Its upperparts are black, with a white neck patch, and there are two white ovals on their backs. Its black wings are marked with white stripes towards the tips, and the tail is also black.

The breast and upper belly of a female great spotted woodpecker is white, and a large bright crimson patch is a distinctive feature on the underside of the base of their tail.

Juvenile female great spotted woodpeckers, like juvenile males, have a red crown and some pinkish markings under the base of their tail. By adulthood, this colouring has changed: the crown becomes black, and only the male has any red markings on its neck.

Similar species

Female lesser spotted woodpeckers (Dryobates minor) are similar in appearance to female great spotted woodpeckers. Both share the same black and white plumage, although the lesser spotted woodpeckers have a white crown, as well as being a lot smaller and far less common.

Size differences

Male and female great spotted woodpeckers are the same size, with no data recording any variation between the sexes. They are roughly the same size as a thrush or a blackbird.

• Length: 22 cm to 23 cm (8.7 in to 9.1 in)
• Wingspan: 34 cm to 39 cm (13.4 in to 15.4 in)
• Weight: 70 g to 100 g (2.5 oz to 3.5 oz)

Female (left) and male (right) Great Spotted Woodpecker pair perched on a post

Behaviour differences

Great spotted woodpeckers are territorial birds, with males particularly aggressive when defending their territories. This feistiness works to the male’s advantage when attracting a mate: females are less aggressive, but seek a protective, dominant mate to defend their nest cavity and young.

Courtship involves the male spreading his tail and engaging in a fluttering flight display, while the female looks on. Later, the female (rather than the male) may occasionally initiate mating.

Female and male greater spotted woodpeckers share the same undulating flight pattern.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (female) foraging for food in the forest

Calls

Rapid drumming is a skill shared by both male and female great spotted woodpeckers, although males are more frequent drummers than females.

Drumming can be heard from December until late summer, after young have fledged, and it’s unclear whether the drumming has a particular significance for attracting a mate or advertising a territory, or whether it is simply a mechanical action.

Both males and female great spotted woodpeckers call, making a shrill ‘kik’ sound when alarmed or under threat, which may also be repeated in quick succession.

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker at bird feeder, eating peanuts

Nesting and feeding

Potential nest sites showcased by the male great spotted woodpecker, before construction of a new cavity begins. From the outset, parental duties are shared, with pairs drilling out hollows together, although observations show the males undertake a larger amount of excavation work.

After the cavity is complete and the eggs have been laid, incubation takes between 10 and 12 days, and is shared between parents, with males taking the overnight duties and daytime brooding split between the pair. Once eggs hatch, this division of caring responsibilities continues, with females and males both feeding the hatchlings and sharing responsibility for keeping the nest clean.

Young greater spotted woodpeckers are ready to fledge by 20 to 23 days. Fledgling care is again divided between the parents, with the female and male each taking charge of feeding and protecting part of the brood for a further 10 days.

Occasionally pairs may feed together, but it’s more common for individual females to forage independently. Female great spotted woodpeckers may show aggression towards other females competing for food at the same spot.

Close up of a adult female Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding her young chick (male)

FAQs

Can female Great Spotted Woodpeckers raise young alone?

Male and female great spotted woodpeckers share incubation duties, with males taking the overnight shift and both males and females alternating time on the nest during the day.

In theory, female great spotted woodpeckers could raise young alone, but without a mate to share nest construction and incubation roles, and to help with feeding and protecting their young, a successful outcome wouldn’t be guaranteed.

What colour are female Great Spotted Woodpeckers?

Female great spotted woodpeckers are mainly black and white, but do have scarlet colouring at the underside of the base of their tail.

Do female Great Spotted Woodpeckers call?

The call of a female great spotted woodpecker is a rapid ‘kik’ sound, heard as an alarm call or a warning to potential predators near to the nest cavity.

Do female great spotted woodpeckers drum?

Female great spotted woodpeckers do drum, although not as frequently as males.