With well over 100,000 pairs in the UK and a range expanding northwards in Scotland and now in Northern Ireland, the Great Spotted Woodpecker is on the green list of the Birds of Conservation Concern. General management of our woodland nature reserves ensures it has plenty of places to thrive.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers are found in larger woods, gardens and parks across most of the UK. They’ve spread north in recent years and now can be found across England, Wales, Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland. In winter, watch tree trunks and thicker branches carefully, or keep an eye on peanut and suet feeders where they’re often bold, regular visitors.
In many areas Great Spotted Woodpeckers are now a regular sight, and their loud calls and drumming give them away. In places with less mature trees, they can be harder to spot, but a visit to a woodland reserve or a garden with good feeders should give you a fair chance of seeing one.
Listen for a rapid burst of drumming that lasts for about a second and can be heard some distance away. Their sharp ‘tchick’ call is another good clue, especially in woodland or when they fly into a garden.
Head outside and discover fascinating birds each month. Read on for top ID tips, what to listen for, and where to see them.
They have bold black-and-white plumage, a red patch under the tail and a strong, pointed bill. Males have a red patch on the back of the head. They have a distinctive bouncing flight and you may also hear its sharp “kik” call or drumming.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker have similar plumage but are much smaller, around the size of a House Sparrow, and much rarer. They won't visit gardens as much as Great Spotted as they prefer ancient and wet woodlands.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers eat insects, spiders, larvae, seeds and nuts. They also visit garden feeders for peanuts and suet.
They nest in holes they excavate in tree trunks, usually choosing mature trees.
They usually nest from April to June, laying their eggs in a newly excavated tree cavity.
Most Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the UK are resident, although some young birds move around after breeding.
They are resident in the UK, so Great Spotted Woodpeckers can be seen throughout the year.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers can live for several years in the wild, with some reaching around 10 years old.
No. They are widespread and common across much of the UK, particularly in woodland and mature gardens.
