Black Woodpecker Tail Feather

Central tail feather of a Black Woodpecker Dryocopos martius. Note how thick the rachis (shaft) is, though it cannot, of course, be judged from a photo, it is also rigid and strong. Found in the Buda Hills, Hungary.

Tawny Owl in Black Woodpecker Hole

Tawny Owl Strix aluco in an old Black Woodpecker nest-hole in a beech tree. Black Woodpecker is a major provider of holes for secondary cavity-nesting birds. Photo taken in Hungary by Laszlo Becsy.

Woodpecker Photographers: Peter Csonka

Peter Csonka, from Hungary, is another photographer whose work includes some great shots of European woodpeckers. This fine photo of a male Black Woodpecker Dryocopos martius was taken near Tata, Hungary. Take a look at more of his work: Peter Csonka

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: record age for UK

This adult female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor was caught at Beale Park, near Reading, Berkshire, UK by the River Thames on the 6th February 2010 during a ringing session. The bird was found to already have a ring and when checked it was discovered to have been ringed at the same site in September 2003. For a small bird this seemed to be a very good age and it was later confirmed that this was the oldest know Lesser Spotted Woodpecker for the UK, at 6 years 4 months and 8 days. Thanks to Danny Alder for this snippet and to David Baker for the photograph.

Picid Pics

A new site for all interested in woodpeckers is Picid Pics. It contains many great photos of wrynecks, piculets, woodpeckers and secondary-users of woodpecker cavities.

Woodpecker Photographers: Laszlo Nehezy

Hungarian Laszlo Nehezy is another photographer whose work includes great pictures of woodpeckers. This superb close-up shot of a male Black Woodpecker Dryocopos martius was taken in the Bukk Hills, Hungary.