Great spotted woodpecker

The 'drumming' of a great spotted woodpecker is a familiar sound of our woodlands, parks and gardens. It is a form of communication and is mostly used to mark territories and to display in spring.

Scientific name

Dendrocopos major

When to see

January to December

Species information

Statistics

Length: 21-23cm
Wingspan: 36cm
Weight: 85g
Average lifespan: 2 years

Classified in the UK as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).

Habitats

About

The great spotted woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker. It nests in holes that it excavates in trees in broadleaved woodlands, large parks and gardens. It has a distinctive, bouncing flight, but is mostly likely to be heard, rather than seen, as it 'drums' away at a tree trunk during its breeding displays. Great spotted woodpeckers eat insects and larvae, probing tree trunks with their extremely sticky tongues to extract them from their nests. In autumn and winter, they will switch to eating berries and nuts, and will visit peanut feeders in gardens.

How to identify

The great spotted woodpecker is black and white, with white shoulder patches and red underneath the tail. Males have a red patch at the back of the head. Only likely to be confused with the lesser spotted woodpecker, which is much smaller and rarer.

Distribution

Widespread, although absent from northern Scotland and most of Ireland.

In our area

Numbers of Great spotted woodpecker are increasing across the UK and are commonly seen in people's gardens. They can also be seen in woodlands, especially with mature broad-leaved trees, although mature conifers will support them.

You can attract woodpeckers to your garden by putting out feeders containing peanuts, sunflower seeds and fat, In late spring, adult woodpeckers often bring their offspring to feeders. Leave dead trees as they have a good supply of grubs and other bugs - woodpecker's favourite food!