Page 263 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WOODPECKERS AND WRYNECK
Order Piciformes Family Picidae Species Dendrocopos medius
Middle Spotted Woodpecker

weak,
flame-red cap on short bill
white barring small white head
on wings
black neck patch
unmarked white extends onto
cheeks side of chest
MALE duller
cap than
male’s
white
shoulder
patch
IN FLIGHT
finely streaked
yellow-buff
underside
FEMALE
pinkish under tail
Central European bird,
Athe Middle Spotted
Woodpecker is indeed medium-
sized among the pied woodpeckers. MALE
Much less accommodating than
other woodpeckers in its choice of
habitat, it requires tall, old woodland
with some old and dying trees and FLIGHT: typical quick, bounding undulations with
some small clearings, with a selection bursts of fast wingbeats.
of decaying branches in which it can SECRETIVE NESTER
nest. In many regions with intensively managed Until the young begin to call, this
woodland and young plantations, it is unable to woodpecker, like other wood-
survive. It is relatively quiet and fond of staying peckers, is quiet around the nest.
high in trees, so it is easy to overlook. It calls
more often in spring in preference to drumming.
VOICE Song quite slow repetition of nasal kvek-
kvek-kvek-kvek, infrequent weak kik, quick,
rhythmic kuk-uk kuk-uk- kuk-uk; does not drum.
NESTING Excavates hole in rotten branch, 4cm
(1 ⁄2in) diameter; 4–7 eggs; 1 brood; May–June.
1
FEEDING Finds insects, larvae, and sap in high
branches, often in dead or dying wood.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds locally in N Spain, France,
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 32; different head and east to E Europe and Balkans.
see p.260 bigger pattern
bill Mostly in older woodland with
slightly different some dead and decaying trees and
head pattern usually not able to survive in over-
barred lacks white
above shoulder managed woods and young or
bolder red patch uniform plantations.
under tail
LESSER SPOTTED
WOODPECKER 32; SYRIAN WOODPECKER 32; Seen in the UK
see p.262 see p.437 JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 19–22cm (7 1 ⁄2 –9in) Wingspan 35cm (14in) Weight 60–75g (2 1 ⁄8 –2 5 ⁄8oz)
Social Solitary Lifespan 5–10 years Status Secure
261