The Great Spotted Woodpecker

Woodpeckers, with their striking black and white feathers and brilliant scarlet caps, are truly a sight to behold when we’re fortunate enough to catch a glimpse. The great spotted woodpecker is likely the most common species in the UK, though it’s not our largest. That title belongs to the green woodpecker, which measures around 30cm, compared to the great spotted’s 23cm.

Great spotted woodpeckers are the rockstars of the woodland. If you’re out for a walk and hear a sharp, rhythmic drumming sound, it’s likely the great spotted woodpecker marking its territory. As the mating season approaches, the male woodpecker intensifies his efforts to impress his mate by drumming on tree trunks with his strong beak. The resulting sound reverberates through the trees. To prevent injury from this constant drumming, their skulls have special shock-absorbing features, allowing them to drum away even on metal telegraph poles without discomfort. If that’s not enough to woo the female, the male will perform an extravagant “wing-waving” display, extending and waving his wings to showcase his strength and vitality. This behaviour is a clear signal of his fitness as a mate. The female responds by staying close to him, bobbing her head, and occasionally displaying her own drumming skills on a nearby branch. If all goes well and the female is satisfied with his courtship, the pair may proceed to mate and embark on building a nest together.

Together, the pair will excavate a nesting hole in a tree trunk, typically in either deciduous or coniferous woodlands. Inside, they create a snug chamber where the female will lay a clutch of white eggs. Between April and June, they raise one brood of 4 to 7 chicks, with earlier nests often yielding more offspring.

As omnivores, adult great spotted woodpeckers feast on a variety of foods, from insects and grubs to seeds, nuts, and berries. Their long, flexible tongues are a marvel, capable of extending around their skulls to extract insects from the tightest of crevices. These woodpeckers however are also known to raid the nests of other birds, including stealing young blue tits, which is why installing an entrance protector on your nestbox is highly recommended. In gardens, great spotted woodpeckers enjoy suet, sunflower hearts, safflower, hempseed, peanuts, and even Flutter Butter.

Across various regions, the great spotted woodpecker has woven itself into folklore and tradition, enriching its already enchanting presence. It is often seen as a symbol of good fortune and an indicator that the forest is flourishing. The bird’s persistent drumming has also led to beliefs that it can predict the weather, with the intensity and frequency of its drumming once thought to foretell rain or storms. Known for its determination and its ability to excavate tree trunks, the great spotted woodpecker is often seen as a symbol of perseverance.

To attract a great spotted woodpecker to your garden, try offering peanuts in a long peanut feeder and good quality suet, such as flutter butter or classic balls:

https://www.brinvale.com/straight-bird-food/peanuts/

https://www.brinvale.com/products/metal-peanut-feeder.html

https://www.brinvale.com/suet-bird-food/peanut-butter/