Perched Syrian Woodpecker

Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus perched sideways on a thin branch. Note the lack of a black post-auricular stripe, pink ventral area and lack of white on the outer tail feathers. Photo taken in Tiszafured, Hungary, in April 2009 by Yvonne Simmonds.

Conifer Cone - Great Spotted Woodpecker

Conifer cone worked upon by Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major. The cone scales have a jagged, ruffled appearance as they have been prised open sideways so that the seeds inside can be taken out. This has caused the rough, ruffled appearance of the cone. Found at Jasov, Slovakia, March 2009.

Green Woodpecker: terrestrial

A Green Woodpecker Picus viridis in a typical pose, foraging on the ground. Though some other species, such as Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, do feed on the ground Green Woodpecker is without question the specialist in this niche in Europe. Photo taken in Hungary by Phil Briggs.

Quiz woodpecker 24

Which species is this ? And age ? And sex ?

Black Woodpecker: fresh feeding site

Black Woodpeckers can make some impressive holes when hacking into timber in search of invertebrates. Note that such holes are not nesting cavities. The round hole (with human hand for size comparision) does to a certain extent resemble a cavity entrance, but it is too large and too low on the tree. Note also the resin/sap that has streamed down the trunk from the holes. Photo taken in March 2009 in the Slovak Karst National Park, Slovakia. 

Gallery: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker male

Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. Photo of a bird caught for ringing by Josef Chytil, Czech Republic, March 2009.

Grey-headed Woodpecker and Waxwing

Here is an interesting photo of a male Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus seemingly observing a Bohemian Waxwing. Photo by Mike Crutch, Soutok, Czech Republic, March 2009.