Identification
A bold black-and-white woodpecker with large white shoulder patches and red under the tail. Young birds have a red crown, unlike the usual adult pattern.
When to look
Mostly resident, though some populations make larger movements. Woodland walks can reveal it throughout the year, with conspicuous drumming in the breeding period.
Where to look
Deciduous, mixed and coniferous woodland, parks and mature gardens provide feeding trees and potential nest sites.
Behaviour and ecology
Food and nutrition
Invertebrates are important, but seeds, nuts, fruit and other foods are also taken. Diet changes with season and opportunity.
Breeding and life cycle
Both sexes excavate a cavity, generally making a new hole in a tree for each nesting season.
A closer look
A red crown does not always identify the species: a young Great Spotted Woodpecker can be confused with other red-crowned woodpeckers.
Global conservation assessment
LC · Least Concern
Global category recorded from the linked assessment; it does not describe local abundance. Least Concern does not mean absence of threats.
View the source assessment ↗Observation and photography
Compare cheek markings, bill and age as well as red patches. Do not tap trees, play calls or stand close to an active nest hole.
Sources and further reading
Keep a distance that allows birds to feed and rest normally. Do not enter colonies, approach nests, flush roosts or use playback for photographs. Never publish precise nest locations of sensitive species. Follow reserve rules and your guide's advice.