Tree stump shaved by White-backed Woodpecker

Tree stump worked on by White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos. March 21, Bukk Hills, Hungary (Gerard Gorman). In Europe only White-backed Woodpecker shaves timber in this way when looking for prey. Similar work is done by Black and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, but they tend to strip and peck panels or patches rather than totally shave whole stumps or snags from top to bottom and all around, and the beak marks they leave are more crude, not as fine. 

Black Woodpecker work

Spring is one the way and the woodpeckers are drumming and calling and getting ready for the breeding season. Here is some fresh foraging work by Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius, Csepel, Budapest, Hungary, March.

Great Spotted Woodpecker eating peanuts

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major. Budapest, Hungary, February 2014 (Gerard Gorman). In many parts of its vast range, from the British Isles eastwards through continental Europe and into Asia, this common species is often found in urban habitats, readily visiting garden feeders.