Black Woodpecker

Dryocopus martius

Genus · Black Woodpeckers Family · Woodpeckers
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Forest coniferousForest deciduousForest mixed

Listen for the loud, hollow drum or mournful whistling call. Look for a large black silhouette flying through the forest canopy.

Black Woodpecker

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan64–84 cm
Weight250–400 g
Length45–55 cm
Lifespan wild5–15 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCavity
Clutch size3–6 eggs
Incubation12–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourMonogamous pairs

Diet: Insectivore

🐜Ants
🦗Insects
🐛Larvae

Habitat

🌲 Forest coniferous🌳 Forest deciduous🌲🌳 Forest mixed
✦ Fun Fact

The nesting holes of a Black Woodpecker are uniquely oval or teardrop-shaped. Smaller woodpeckers make perfectly circular holes.

About

The giant of European woodpeckers, nearly the size of a crow. It is jet-black with a pale bill and white eyes. It lives in mature coniferous and mixed forests. It requires large trees to excavate its enormous, oval nesting holes. It is a resident bird and an 'ecosystem engineer' whose abandoned nests provide homes for owls.

Behaviour

Black Woodpeckers are powerful excavators. They tear apart rotten stumps to find carpenter ants. Their drumming is slow and incredibly loud. In flight, they look different from other woodpeckers. Their flight is direct and rowing. They frequently give a loud, ringing 'klee-ay' call.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Features a solid red crown extending from the forehead to the back of the head.

♀ Female

Only has a small red patch on the back of the head. The rest of the crown is black.

Similar species

Carrion Crow
🐦
Carrion Crow
Corvus corone
Rook
🐦
Rook
Corvus frugilegus
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