Dendrocopos major - Great Spotted Woodpecker
Feather characters. Barbule length varies from medium until long (1-1.8 mm). Barbules are divided into pigmented nodes and unpigmented internodes. Both vase- and bell-shaped nodes are present. Nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (26-38 per mm). They are all about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are sharply pointed (often fork-like) and internodes are occasionally kinked. Prongs are absent.
Field characters. Size 23 cm. Weight 812 g (71.0-83.0) (Dunning, 1993). Black-and-white woodpecker, much smaller than Green Woodpecker. Head with small white forehead, black cap, and black moustachial stripe to grey bill. Black moustachial stripe connects bill to black neck. Male has red nape. Back black with large white shoulder patches, wings with white spots, vent and undertail coverts red, remainder of underparts white. Black tail with white sides. Juvenile of both sexes has red instead of black cap. Flight undulating.
Voice. Most common call a single, loud 'kik' or 'keek'; when disturbed repeated 'keek-keek-keek'. Drums often (~ 0.6 s).
Distribution. Common resident. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Pine and deciduous woodlands, open wooded areas, parks, etc.
Food. Insects, larvae and other invertebrates, but often takes conifer seeds, especially in winter, and fruits. Seldomly feeds on the ground.