Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos major
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a widespread and common species in Britain, seen throughout the year in woodlands, parks, and gardens, particularly during the breeding season. It can be spotted in a variety of habitats, from deciduous to coniferous forests, and is a frequent visitor to garden bird feeders.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Great Spotted Woodpecker in the field.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is distinguished by its black and white plumage, with a distinctive red patch on the lower belly, and red markings on the neck or head in males and young birds. Its black and white barred back and white cheeks are also key identification features.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is slightly larger than a Blue Tit, but smaller than a Starling, making it a medium-sized woodpecker.
The male Great Spotted Woodpecker has a black and white plumage with a red patch on the lower belly and red markings on the back of the head, extending to the neck.
The female Great Spotted Woodpecker is similar to the male, but lacks the red markings on the back of the head, although she retains the red patch on the lower belly.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker's call is a loud, sharp "pic" or "pick", often repeated in a series, while its drumming is a loud, rapid rolling sound.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker feeds by chiselling into trees to extract insects and sap, and is also known for its drumming behaviour, used for contact and territorial advertisement, as well as its undulating flight style.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker can be confused with the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but can be distinguished by its larger size, red belly patch, and black and white barred back, as well as its louder and more frequent drumming.
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