Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major

Description

About Blackbird-sized and striking black-and-white. It has a very distinctive bouncing flight and spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches, often trying to hide on the side away from the observer. Its presence is often announced by its loud call or by its distinctive spring 'drumming' display. The male has a distinctive red patch on the nape which females lack. Juveniles have a red crown.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Woodlands, especially with mature broad-leaved trees, although mature conifers will support them. Also in parks and large gardens. Will come to peanut feeders and bird tables. Not found in the far north of Scotland. Only a handful of pairs nest in Ireland, but numbers are increasing. Common in England and Wales.

When to see it

All year round

Life History

The familiar drumming sound is not the bird feeding or excavating a nest hole, but a signal to other woodpeckers. The male will seek out a suitable branch that makes the loudest noise.

UK Status

Common and widespread in Britain

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland as a breeding bird.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Piciformes
Family:
Picidae
Records on NatureSpot:
947
First record:
02/11/1992 (Ian Retson)
Last record:
27/02/2024 (Gillett, Neil)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records