Great Spotted Woodpecker - woodchips

Woodpeckers make no attempt to conceal the locations of their nesting holes by removing or hiding the debris that results from excavation. Wood-chips, like these below a Great Spotted Woodpecker cavity in the Buda Hills, Hungary, are simply tossed out from the hole and lie below the nesting tree. 

Woodpeckers in flight

Not all woodpeckers fly in an undulating, bounding manner, as is often stated. Around the world there are many that fly with flapping, crow-like wingbeat actions. In Europe, the Black Woodpecker is an example - its flight style often recalls a Jay or Nutcracker. Photo of this Black Woodpecker taken by the River Tisza in NE Hungary by Gerard Gorman.

The wonderful woodpecker bill

Woodpecker bills are impressive. They have evolved to be a multi-purpose tool... a hammer, a gouge, a chisel, a dagger. The bill is so important, it develops rapidly, being large and robust on nestlings even before they have grown feathers.

Syrian Woodpecker on utility-pole

Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopus syriacus on the top of a utility-pole in a garden in Budapest. The lack of red on the hindcrown indicates a female. 

Syrian Woodpecker close up

Here is a close up of the head of a Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus. The red on the hindcrown indicates a male. Note the lack of a post-auricular stripe. In a close relative, Great Spotted Woodpecker, there is such a line (running over ear-coverts to touch the black nape).

Syrian Woodpecker with walnut

Syrian Woodpeckers are very fond on nuts. This female with half a walnut shell was photographed in Budapest, Hungary by Szabolcs Kokay.

Quiz Woodpecker 2

Here is the 2nd quiz woodpecker for 2013. Identifying this European species should not be hard, but which sex is it ?