Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Dryobates minor

This tiny tree-tapper brings a burst of life to woodlands with its rapid drumming and acrobatic foraging skills.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is a diminutive bird, measuring just 14-16 cm in length. Its plumage is primarily black and white, with distinctive barred wings and a white-spotted back. The male sports a bright red crown patch, setting it apart from the female.

Juveniles resemble adults but have a duller overall appearance. The bird's small size and patterned plumage help it blend seamlessly with tree bark, making it challenging to spot despite its striking colouration.

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker looks most similar to the Great Spotted Woodpecker, although that species is much larger and has red feathers under its tail.

Size

Length

14cm to 16cm

Wingspan

25cm to 27cm

Weight

17g to 25g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Red

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Primary Colour (Female)

Black White

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

This species inhabits deciduous and mixed woodlands across Europe and parts of Asia. It prefers mature forests with a good supply of dead wood. In the UK, it's found primarily in England and Wales, favouring old oak and birch woodlands.

While generally non-migratory, some northern populations may move southward in harsh winters. The bird's range extends from Spain and the UK in the west to Japan in the east, with a patchy distribution in between.

February to April is the best time to find Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in the United Kingdom as they are especially vocal and trees are not yet in leaf.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Boreal

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Lesser 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