Black Woodpeckers can be visually sexed when still in the nesting cavity, i.e. before they fledge. As with adults, fledgling males have complete red crowns whilst fledgling females only have red on the hind crown. Thus, the top bird in this photo is a male. The sex of the lower bird is unclear due to its crown being out of view.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Gallery: Black Woodpecker nestlings
Black Woodpeckers can be visually sexed when still in the nesting cavity, i.e. before they fledge. As with adults, fledgling males have complete red crowns whilst fledgling females only have red on the hind crown. Thus, the top bird in this photo is a male. The sex of the lower bird is unclear due to its crown being out of view.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Gallery: Black Woodpecker adult male
Male Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius. Taken in the Danube Delta, Romania, by Daniel Petrescu. Note the all red crown. Also note the brown feathers on the wing. It is not clear whether this is a result of age, wear or other factors.
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Gallery: Black Woodpecker female
Female Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius. Taken in the Danube Delta, Romania, by Daniel Petrescu. Note only the rear of the crown is red.
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Gallery: Syrian Woodpecker adult female
Adult female Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus. Taken by Bence Kókay near Apaj in Hungary.
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