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Great Spotted Woodpecker
Home : Great Spotted Woodpecker
| Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major |
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The Great Spotted Woodpecker is the most common and widespread of the three British woodpeckers. The size of a blackbird this distinctive black & white bird is most common in England & Wales, & is not found in Ireland or far north & south Scotland. |
| Indentification |
| Adult Male |
Male - has upperparts are black broken by white cheeks & white neck patch; & two bold white ovals on its back. Under parts are Buffy white & it has a red under tail. The male also has a red patch on its hind crown. Adult female - the female Great Spotted Woodpecker is the same as the male but without the red patch on the hind crown. |
| Juvenile |
the juvenile bird have a red top crown. |
| Size |
22 - 24cm |
| Bill |
grey, long and thin |
| Legs |
grey & short |
| Habitat |
woods, gardens, hedges. Frequent garden visitor and proficient at feeding from garden bird feeders and tables. |
| Behaviour |
climbs, hangs, takes off & lands from vegetation. |
| Flocking |
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| Flight |
distinctive bouncing flight, undulating. |
| Voice |
loud tchack sound that carries a long way, spring drumming sound from spring display. |
| Breeding |
| Nest |
tree hollow. |
| Eggs |
lays 4- 7 eggs, white. |
| Incubation period |
16 days |
| Fledgling |
18 - 21 days |
| Broods |
1; May - June |
| Food |
insects & nuts. |
| UK breeding pairs |
25,000 - 30,000 |
| Selection of popular products |
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