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
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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
Top 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

eats

Great Capricorn Beetle

Cerambyx cerdo

larvae from decaying wood

eats

Red Wood Ant

Formica rufa

ants from forest floor

eaten by

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

a predator of adult woodpeckers

depends on

European Beech

Fagus sylvatica

old, decaying trees for nesting and food

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 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

How does White-backed Woodpecker hunt?

Foraging

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