ExploreBirds

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos major

The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a colorful bird with a black and white body and a bright red patch on its head. It loves to peck on trees to find yummy bugs to eat.

Habitat: Forests and woodlands

Appearance

The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird with striking pied black and white plumage. It has a distinctive black cap, white cheeks, and a bright red patch under its tail. Males also have a small red spot on the nape of their neck, making them easily identifiable.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPiciformesFamilyPicidaeGenusDendrocopos
Great Spotted Woodpecker
wildlife trait badgefeathered trait badgesinging trait badgearboreal trait badge
Great Spotted Woodpecker

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

12

Interesting facts

A woodpecker’s tongue actually wraps around its entire skull to protect its brain!

Great Spotted Woodpeckers stash food like nuts and seeds in tree bark for later snacks.

Their drumming isn't just for food; it's also how they attract mates and mark their territory!

They can cling to vertical tree trunks upside down with no problem thanks to strong feet.

Special abilities

Ability

Shock Absorber Skull

The Great Spotted Woodpecker has a specially designed skull and strong neck muscles that help them absorb the impact of pecking hard wood.

Ability

Sticky Tongue Grab

Great Spotted Woodpeckers can extend their long, barbed, sticky tongue far out to extract insects and larvae from deep crevices.

Ability

Tail-Feather Kickstand

Great Spotted Woodpeckers use their stiff tail feathers as a prop, bracing themselves against tree trunks for stability while pecking.

Measurements & details

Length
20-24 cm
Wingspan
34-39 cm
Weight
0.07-0.098 kg
Lifespan
6-11 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Clutch Size
4-7
Incubation
10-13 days

Diet & Feeding

They mostly eat insects hidden in trees, but also enjoy seeds, nuts, and sometimes even eggs.

Age differences: Young chicks are fed mostly insects by their parents, gradually transitioning to a varied adult diet.

Primary Foods

  • wood-boring beetle larvae
  • ants
  • spiders
  • seeds
  • nuts
  • tree sap

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Red wood ant

Formica rufa

Preys on ants found in wood and on the ground.

eaten by

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus

A common aerial predator of adult woodpeckers.

shelters

Pedunculate Oak

Quercus robur

Excavates nesting and roosting cavities in mature trees.

Traits

Also known as

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These birds are friendly and not dangerous. Always watch wildlife from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Great Spotted Woodpecker?

The easiest way to identify Great Spotted Woodpecker is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Great Spotted Woodpecker?

20-24 cm

What is Great Spotted Woodpecker's wingspan?

34-39 cm

How much does Great Spotted Woodpecker weigh?

0.07-0.098 kg

How long does Great Spotted Woodpecker live?

6-11 years

How fast can Great Spotted Woodpecker move?

50 km/h

What does Great Spotted Woodpecker eat?

They mostly eat insects hidden in trees, but also enjoy seeds, nuts, and sometimes even eggs.

Where is Great Spotted Woodpecker usually found?

Forests and woodlands

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Where to spot

Zoo Berlin place preview
Zoo29 sightings17 species

Berlin, DE

Zoo Berlin

Zoo, Wildlife, Conservation, Family Friendly, Accessible, Education, Berlin, Historic, Aquarium, Photography.

You might spot Polar Bear, Ursus Thibetanus, and Sloth Bear.

View guide

Tiergarten Schönbrunn place preview
Zoo23 sightings11 species

Vienna, AT

Tiergarten Schönbrunn

Zoo, Unesco World Heritage, Family Friendly, Wildlife Conservation, Historical Site, Wheelchair Accessible, Giant Panda, Vienna Attraction

You might spot Red Squirrel, Hooded Crow, and Grey Heron.

View guide

Zoologická zahrada Děčín - Pastýřská stěna place preview
Zoo13 sightings10 species

Ústí nad Labem Region, CZ

Zoologická zahrada Děčín - Pastýřská stěna

Family Friendly, Wildlife Conservation, Hillside Zoo, Rare Species, Interactive Exhibits, Educational, Czech Republic, Panoramic Views, Children's Activities, Zoological Park.

You might spot Great Spotted Woodpecker and Red-Crested Pochard.

View guide

Tierpark Hellabrunn place preview
Zoo14 sightings9 species

Bavaria, DE

Tierpark Hellabrunn

Family Friendly, Geo Zoo, Wildlife, Conservation, Accessible, Outdoor, Munich, Animal Encounters, Educational, Nature Reserve.

You might spot African Lion, Arachnida, and Insect.

View guide

Woburn Safari Park place preview
Zoo10 sightings9 species

England, UK

Woburn Safari Park

Safari, Drive Through, Family Friendly, Wildlife, Conservation, Accessible, Animal Encounters, Photography, Outdoor Activities, Lemurs.

You might spot African Lion, Horse, and Giraffes.

View guide

Ranuan Eläinpuisto place preview
Zoo20 sightings7 species

Lapland, FI

Ranuan Eläinpuisto

Arctic Wildlife, Family Friendly, Year Round Destination, Conservation, Lapland, Polar Bear, Wheelchair Accessible, Nature Trails

You might spot Gray Wolf, Polar Bear, and Brown Bear.

View guide

More Birds