Great Spotted Woodpecker

great spotted woodpecker drumming against a tree trunk

The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a large, striking bird with black and white plumage, a bright red patch on its belly (in males), and a distinctive drumming call. It is larger than the lesser spotted woodpecker and has a longer bill and a larger white shoulder patch.

  • Great spotted woodpeckers can be seen in the UK throughout the year, but are most commonly spotted from February to July during the breeding season.
  • Great spotted woodpeckers are part of the Picidae family, which includes over 200 species of woodpeckers, piculets, and wrynecks found around the world.

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