| Statistics | |
| Length | 21 - 23cm |
| Wingspan | 36cm |
| Weight | 85g |
| Average lifespan | 2 years |
About
The great spotted woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker. It nests in holes that it excavates in trees in broadleaved woodlands, large parks and gardens. It has a distinctive, bouncing flight, but is mostly likely to be heard, rather than seen, as it 'drums' away at a tree trunk during its breeding displays. Great spotted woodpeckers eat insects and larvae, probing tree trunks with their extremely sticky tongues to extract them from their nests. In autumn and winter, they will switch to eating berries and nuts, and will visit peanut feeders in gardens.
How to identify
The great spotted woodpecker is black and white, with white shoulder patches and red underneath the tail. Males have a red patch at the back of the head. Only likely to be confused with the lesser spotted woodpecker, which is much smaller and rarer.
Did you know?
In the last few years, the great spotted woodpecker has started to nest in Ireland for the first time.