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Difference between revisions of "Great Spotted Woodpecker" - BirdForum Opus

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;Dendrocopos major
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[[Image:Dendrocopos major major male, W Sweden.jpg|thumb|400px|right|''D. m. major'', male<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Digiscoper321|Digiscoper321}}<br />western [[Sweden]], 11 February 2014]]
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[[Image:Great_Spotted_Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Andy Bright<br>Photographed: Hertfordshire, England]]
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;[[:Category:Dendrocopos|Dendrocopos]] major
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''Picoides major''
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
−
L. 23-26 cm<br/>
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Length 23-26 cm (9-10¼ in), wingspan 38-44 cm, weight <br/>
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Ws. 38-44 cm
+
*Glossy black upperparts
−
 
 
−
*Glossy black upper parts
 
 
*White on the sides of face and neck
 
*White on the sides of face and neck
 
*Large white shoulder patch
 
*Large white shoulder patch
Line 12: Line 10:
 
*Three outer tail feathers barred
 
*Three outer tail feathers barred
 
*Buffish white under parts
 
*Buffish white under parts
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*Crimson abdomen and undertail coverts
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*Crimson lower abdomen and undertail [[Topography#General Anatomy|coverts]]
 
*Slate black bill
 
*Slate black bill
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*Greenish grey legs
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*Grey legs
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====Male====
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*Male has a crimson spot on nape, which is missing on the female
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Crimson spot on nape
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*Immatures also have no nape spot, but the crown is crimson
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====Female====
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[[Image:Great Spotted Woodpecker male.jpg|thumb|350px|right|''D. m. pinetorum'', male<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Clive+Watson|Clive Watson}}<br />[[Surrey]], [[England]], 15 March 2008]]
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No crimson on nape
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====Similar Species====
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====Immature====
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Very similar to the [[Syrian Woodpecker]] of southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, differing most obviously in the [[Topography#Heads|moustachial]] stripe extending back across the lower cheek to the rear of the crown. Juveniles with a red forecrown can be confused with [[Middle Spotted Woodpecker]], but have a stouter bill and stronger moustachial stripe.
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Nape spot is absent, but crown is crimson
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====Variations====
−
===Similar Species===
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Typically the northern subspecies are larger, with shorter, stouter bills, and whiter underparts. The north African subspecies, ''D. m. mauritanus'' and ''D. m. numidus'' are cream below with a bold chest band, black at the sides and red in the centre, and more extensive red on the undertail coverts and belly.
−
Similar to the the smaller [[Lesser Spotted Woodpecker]]
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The Canary Islands subspecies, ''D. m. canariensis'' from [[Tenerife]] is creamy-buff below, and ''D. m. thanneri'' from [[Gran Canaria]] is more greyish.
 +
==Distribution==
 +
Resident throughout range but may be irruptive in the north. One of the most widespread and abundant of the spotted woodpeckers, it breeds from eastern [[Ireland]] (where a recent colonist), throughout [[Britain]], most of [[Scandinavia]] except the far north and the highest mountains, throughout [[Europe]] from [[Iberia]] (although scarce in southern [[Spain]]) to northern [[Greece]], and east to Kamchatka, Sakhalin, [[Japan]], [[Korea]] and [[China]].
  
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==Distribution==
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Also breeds on the [[Canary Islands]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]] and isolated populations in the [[Caucasus]] and in parts of southern [[Greece]] and northern [[Turkey]], in [[Morocco]] and northern parts of [[Algeria]] and [[Tunisia]]. Further east the southern limits of range are reached in north-east [[India]], [[Vietnam]] and Hainan.
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One of the most widespread and abundant of the spotted woodpeckers, breeds throughout Britain, most of Scandinavia except the far north and the highest mountains, throughout Europe from Iberia (although scarce in southern Spain) to northern Greece and east to Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Japan, Korea and China. Also breeds on the Canary Islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily and isolated populations in the Caucasus and in parts of southern Greece and northern Turkey, in Morocco and northern parts of Algeria and Tunisia. Further east the southern limits of range are reached in north-east India, Vietnam and Hainan.<br/>
 
−
Resident throughout range but may be irruptive in the north. <br/>
 
  
−
Vagrants recorded in Iceland, the Faroes and Ireland.  
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'''Vagrants''' have been recorded in [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]].
  
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
−
About 14 races are recognised differing slightly in overall size, bill size and colour of underparts. However there is much intergradation in mainland races and also variation within races. Typically northern races are larger with shorter, stouter bills and whiter underparts. North African races ''mauritanus'' and ''numidus'' are cream below with a bold chest band, black at the sides and red in the centre. Two Canarian races, ''canariensis'' from Tenerife, creamy-buff below and ''thanneri'' from Gran Canaria more greyish.
+
About 14 subspecies are recognised, differing slightly in overall size, bill size and colour of underparts. However there is much intergradation in mainland races and also variation within races.
 +
====Subspecies====
 +
[[Image:PIC EPEICHE NUMIDUS 3 .JPG|thumb|350px|right|Male, Subspecies ''numidus''<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Karim+Haddad|Karim Haddad}}<br />Constantine, [[Algeria]], 18 August 2016]]
 +
[[Image:Great Spotted Woodpecker 0436.jpg|thumb|350px|right|''D. m. pinetorum'', female in flight<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Mali|Mali}}<br />Littlehempston, [[Devon]], 9 June 2013]]
 +
There are 14 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
 +
*''D. m. canariensis'':
 +
:*[[Tenerife]] ([[Canary Islands]])
 +
*''D. m. thanneri'':
 +
:*[[Gran Canaria]] Island ([[Canary Islands]])
 +
*''D. m. mauritanus'':
 +
:*[[Morocco]]
 +
*''D. m. numidus'':
 +
:*Northern [[Algeria]] and [[Tunisia]]
 +
*''D. m. major'':
 +
:*[[Scandinavia]] and western [[Siberia]] to Ural Mountains, northern [[Poland]] and northern [[Ukraine]]; occasional in winter west to [[Britain]] and even [[Ireland]]
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*''D. m. pinetorum'':
 +
:*[[Ireland]], [[Britain]], [[France]] and central [[Europe]] to [[Italy]], Balkans, [[Turkey]], and [[Caucasus]]
 +
*''D. m. hispanus'':
 +
:*[[Iberian Peninsula]]
 +
*''D. m. harterti'':
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:*[[Sardinia]] and [[Corsica]]
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*''D. m. brevirostris'':
 +
:*Western [[Siberia]] to lower Amur River, Manchuria and [[Mongolia]]
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*''D. m. kamtschaticus'':
 +
:*Kamchatka Peninsula and northern coast of Sea of Okhotsk
 +
*''D. m. poelzami'':
 +
:*Transcaucasia and southern Caspian region
 +
*''D. m. japonicus'':
 +
:*Eastern Manchuria, Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, [[Korea]] and northern [[Japan]]
 +
*''D. m. cabanisi'':
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:*Southern Manchuria to south-eastern [[China]], eastern [[Burma]] and [[Indochina]]; Hainan
 +
*''D. m. stresemanni'':
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:*Western [[China]] to [[Burma]], south-eastern [[Tibet]] and north-eastern [[India]]
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
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Deciduous, coniferous or preferably mixed woodland and forest, parks and orchards, sometimes, especially in winter, in large gardens.
+
Deciduous, coniferous or mixed woodland and forest, parks and orchards, sometimes in large gardens.
 +
 
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
−
The drumming sound is made by the male, using a dead dry tree that generates a good volume, to attract a female. The sound can travel over hundreds of metres in favourable conditions. Feeding uses a much less rapid pecking action and the quieter sound generated can only be heard at close quarters.
 
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
 
Although the diet usually consists of insects and their larvae, woodpeckers are not averse to preying on young birds in the nest and will smash their way into nest boxes to do this. In areas where woodpeckers are known to be active, a protective sheet of metal may be fitted to the entrance of the box.
 
Although the diet usually consists of insects and their larvae, woodpeckers are not averse to preying on young birds in the nest and will smash their way into nest boxes to do this. In areas where woodpeckers are known to be active, a protective sheet of metal may be fitted to the entrance of the box.
−
==Voice==
+
 
−
<flashmp3>Dendrocopos major (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
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Conifer seeds form an important part of the winter diet, particularly in Northern Europe. Cones may be taken to an 'anvil' to assist in the removal of seeds. The 'anvils' may be a hard surface, on which the cone is balanced, or a crevice, either natural, or one which they have prepared themselves, by cutting back the bark to create a crack.
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''[[Media:Dendrocopos major (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
+
====Vocalisation====
 +
The call is a loud 'tchk'. The drumming sound is made by the male, using a dead dry tree that generates a good volume, to attract a female. The sound can travel over hundreds of metres in favourable conditions. Feeding uses a much less rapid pecking action and the quieter sound generated can only be heard at close quarters.
 +
 
 +
==Gallery==
 +
Click images to see larger version
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:IMG 5915 900.jpg|''D. m. major'', female and juvenile at nest<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|PatrickE|PatrickE}}<br />Dalarna, [[Sweden]], 24 June 2013
 +
Image:IMG 2988.jpg|''D. m. pinetorum'', female<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|canonman77|canonman77}}<br />[[Potteric Carr Nature Reserve]], South [[Yorkshire]], [[UK]], 31 May 2009
 +
Image:Great Spotted Woodpecker.jpg|''D. m. pinetorum'', juvenile. Photo &copy; by {{user|Andy+Bright|Andy Bright}}<br />[[Hertfordshire]], [[England]],  6 June 2005
 +
Image:GreatSpottedWoodpeckerIMG 3655.jpg|''D. m. japonicus'', Male<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|jmorlan|Joseph Morlan}}<br />Nakashibetsu--Yoroushi Hot Spring, Hokkaido Prefecture, [[Japan]], 22 February 2019
 +
Image:Male Great Spotted Woodpecker BF.jpg|''D. m. cabanisi'', Male<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|paux|paux}}<br />Public park, Beijing [[China]] 14th January 2024
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
#{{Ref-Clements6thOct22}}#{{Ref-GillDonskerRasmussen22V13.1}}#Gorman, G., and S. Kokay (2004) ''Woodpeckers of Europe: A Study of the European Picidae''. Bruce Coleman Books. ISBN 1-872842-05-4
 +
#BWPI Birds of the Western Palearctic Interactive DVD-ROM. Gostours Ltd. ISBN 978-1898110392
 +
#Perktas, U. & Quintero, E. (2013) A wide geographical survey of mitochondrial DNA variation in the Great Spotted Woodpecker complex, ''Dendrocopos major'' (Aves: Picidae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 108(1): 173–188.
 +
#Winkler, H., Gamauf, A., Nittinger, F. & Haring, E. (2014) Relationships of Old World woodpeckers (Aves: Picidae)—new insights and taxonomic implications. Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien. 116: 69–86.
 +
#Winkler, H., Christie, D.A. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Great Spotted Woodpecker (''Dendrocopos major''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/56225 on 18 May 2019).
 +
{{ref}}
 +
 
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
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{{GSearch|Dendrocopos+major}}
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{{GSearch|"Dendrocopos major" {{!}} "Picoides major" {{!}} "Great Spotted Woodpecker"}}
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[[Category:Birds]]
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<br />
 +
{{VSearch|"Dendrocopos major" {{!}} "Picoides major" {{!}} "Great Spotted Woodpecker"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}1
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Dendrocopos]] [[Category:Videos]]

Latest revision as of 13:44, 16 May 2025

D. m. major, male
Photo © by Digiscoper321
western Sweden, 11 February 2014
Dendrocopos major

Picoides major

Identification

Length 23-26 cm (9-10¼ in), wingspan 38-44 cm, weight

  • Glossy black upperparts
  • White on the sides of face and neck
  • Large white shoulder patch
  • Barred black and white flight feathers
  • Three outer tail feathers barred
  • Buffish white under parts
  • Crimson lower abdomen and undertail coverts
  • Slate black bill
  • Grey legs
  • Male has a crimson spot on nape, which is missing on the female
  • Immatures also have no nape spot, but the crown is crimson
D. m. pinetorum, male
Photo © by Clive Watson
Surrey, England, 15 March 2008

Similar Species

Very similar to the Syrian Woodpecker of southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, differing most obviously in the moustachial stripe extending back across the lower cheek to the rear of the crown. Juveniles with a red forecrown can be confused with Middle Spotted Woodpecker, but have a stouter bill and stronger moustachial stripe.

Variations

Typically the northern subspecies are larger, with shorter, stouter bills, and whiter underparts. The north African subspecies, D. m. mauritanus and D. m. numidus are cream below with a bold chest band, black at the sides and red in the centre, and more extensive red on the undertail coverts and belly. The Canary Islands subspecies, D. m. canariensis from Tenerife is creamy-buff below, and D. m. thanneri from Gran Canaria is more greyish.

Distribution

Resident throughout range but may be irruptive in the north. One of the most widespread and abundant of the spotted woodpeckers, it breeds from eastern Ireland (where a recent colonist), throughout Britain, most of Scandinavia except the far north and the highest mountains, throughout Europe from Iberia (although scarce in southern Spain) to northern Greece, and east to Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Japan, Korea and China.

Also breeds on the Canary Islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily and isolated populations in the Caucasus and in parts of southern Greece and northern Turkey, in Morocco and northern parts of Algeria and Tunisia. Further east the southern limits of range are reached in north-east India, Vietnam and Hainan.

Vagrants have been recorded in Iceland and the Faroes.

Taxonomy

About 14 subspecies are recognised, differing slightly in overall size, bill size and colour of underparts. However there is much intergradation in mainland races and also variation within races.

Subspecies

Male, Subspecies numidus
Photo © by Karim Haddad
Constantine, Algeria, 18 August 2016
D. m. pinetorum, female in flight
Photo © by Mali
Littlehempston, Devon, 9 June 2013

There are 14 subspecies[1]:

  • D. m. canariensis:
  • D. m. thanneri:
  • D. m. mauritanus:
  • D. m. numidus:
  • D. m. major:
  • D. m. pinetorum:
  • D. m. hispanus:
  • D. m. harterti:
  • D. m. brevirostris:
  • D. m. kamtschaticus:
  • Kamchatka Peninsula and northern coast of Sea of Okhotsk
  • D. m. poelzami:
  • Transcaucasia and southern Caspian region
  • D. m. japonicus:
  • Eastern Manchuria, Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, Korea and northern Japan
  • D. m. cabanisi:
  • D. m. stresemanni:

Habitat

Deciduous, coniferous or mixed woodland and forest, parks and orchards, sometimes in large gardens.

Behaviour

Diet

Although the diet usually consists of insects and their larvae, woodpeckers are not averse to preying on young birds in the nest and will smash their way into nest boxes to do this. In areas where woodpeckers are known to be active, a protective sheet of metal may be fitted to the entrance of the box.

Conifer seeds form an important part of the winter diet, particularly in Northern Europe. Cones may be taken to an 'anvil' to assist in the removal of seeds. The 'anvils' may be a hard surface, on which the cone is balanced, or a crevice, either natural, or one which they have prepared themselves, by cutting back the bark to create a crack.

Vocalisation

The call is a loud 'tchk'. The drumming sound is made by the male, using a dead dry tree that generates a good volume, to attract a female. The sound can travel over hundreds of metres in favourable conditions. Feeding uses a much less rapid pecking action and the quieter sound generated can only be heard at close quarters.

Gallery

Click images to see larger version

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Gill, F, D Donsker, and P Rasmussen (Eds). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v 13.1)_red. Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.13.1. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
  3. Gorman, G., and S. Kokay (2004) Woodpeckers of Europe: A Study of the European Picidae. Bruce Coleman Books. ISBN 1-872842-05-4
  4. BWPI Birds of the Western Palearctic Interactive DVD-ROM. Gostours Ltd. ISBN 978-1898110392
  5. Perktas, U. & Quintero, E. (2013) A wide geographical survey of mitochondrial DNA variation in the Great Spotted Woodpecker complex, Dendrocopos major (Aves: Picidae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 108(1): 173–188.
  6. Winkler, H., Gamauf, A., Nittinger, F. & Haring, E. (2014) Relationships of Old World woodpeckers (Aves: Picidae)—new insights and taxonomic implications. Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien. 116: 69–86.
  7. Winkler, H., Christie, D.A. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/56225 on 18 May 2019).

Recommended Citation

External Links


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