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ExploreBirds

White-backed Woodpecker

Dendrocopos leucotos

The White-backed Woodpecker is a special bird with a striking white back and a black and white head. It loves to peck on trees to find yummy bugs to eat and makes a fun drumming sound when it taps on wood.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The White-backed Woodpecker is a large woodpecker recognized by its prominent white lower back, contrasting with a black upper body. Males feature a red cap, while females have a black one. Its wings show distinctive white barring on a dark background.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPiciformesFamilyPicidaeGenusDendrocopos
White-backed Woodpecker
Photo: UbailvesCC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
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White-backed Woodpecker

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its tongue can extend far beyond its beak, helping it find hidden meals!

They use powerful drumming on trees to find a mate and mark their territory.

This woodpecker prefers to eat insects from dead or dying trees, acting like a forest cleaner!

Woodpeckers have special muscles and bones around their eyes to protect them while pecking!

Special abilities

Ability

Skull Protection

White-backed Woodpecker has a unique skull structure that absorbs shock, preventing brain injury during powerful pecking.

Ability

Grub Grabber

White-backed Woodpecker can extend its super-long, barbed tongue to extract beetle larvae from deep within deadwood.

Ability

Tree Navigator

White-backed Woodpecker can cling vertically to tree trunks using strong zygodactyl feet and stiff tail feathers for support.

Measurements & details

Length
24-28 cm
Wingspan
38-40 cm
Weight
0.07-0.12 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Speed
50 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
10-11 days

Diet & Feeding

Mainly eats insect larvae found deep within dead or decaying wood, along with some ants and berries.

Primary Foods

  • Beetle larvae
  • Ants
  • Spiders
  • Moth larvae
  • Berries
  • Tree sap

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify White-backed Woodpecker?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is White-backed Woodpecker?

24-28 cm

What is White-backed Woodpecker's wingspan?

38-40 cm

How much does White-backed Woodpecker weigh?

0.07-0.12 kg

How long does White-backed Woodpecker live?

5-10 years

How fast can White-backed Woodpecker move?

50 km/h

What does White-backed Woodpecker eat?

Mainly eats insect larvae found deep within dead or decaying wood, along with some ants and berries.

Where is White-backed Woodpecker usually found?

Forests

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