Great spotted woodpecker is 20-26 cm long, weighs 70-98 grams, and has a wingspan of 38-44 cm. It is a widespread species found in Europe and Asia. Its upperparts are glossy blue-black, with white cheeks and neck sides. It has black stripes extending from its shoulders to its nape and the base of its bill. The wing and tail feathers have a black-and-white pattern. The underparts are generally white, with red tones on the lower belly and tail. Male individuals have a red patch on their nape. Their eyes are reddish-brown, the bill is dark gray, and their legs are light grayish-green. Females have the same colors as males but lack the red band on their nape. Juveniles are paler in color with a red crown.

^{Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) (Source: EBird)}

Juveniles and Calls

Juveniles have similar coloration to adults, but they have a red patch on their crown. The white spots on their wings are more pronounced.

The great spotted woodpecker communicates by making high-pitched, sharp "kik... kik" calls. It also produces a "drumming sound" that is shorter (0.6-0.7 seconds) and increases in frequency towards the end, compared to other spotted woodpeckers.

^{Sounds Produced by the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Source: TRTBelgesel)}

Distribution Area and Habitats

The great spotted woodpecker can live in a wide range of geographical areas, from polar taigas to Mediterranean climates, inhabiting various woodlands, scrublands, fruit orchards, parks, and large gardens. This species is common in the northern part of the Palearctic region^【1】, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to East Asia in the east. It is also observed in some regions of Morocco and Tunisia in North Africa, the British Isles, the Canary Islands, the large Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily, and especially in the northern forested areas of Turkey.

^{Distribution Map (Source: EBird)}

Feeding Habits

The great spotted woodpecker has an extremely flexible dietary behavior. In summer months, woodpeckers feed on insects, larvae, various invertebrates, and eggs. Ant and insect larvae constitute their primary food source. They bore into tree bark to extract harmful insect larvae and consume them. In winter months, a change in feeding habits is observed, and they primarily feed on conifer seeds, walnuts, and fruits. Additionally, they may sometimes prey on bird eggs and nestlings.

^{Great Spotted Woodpecker Feeding Photo: pixabay.com, hapr80)}

Reproduction and Nest Building

Great spotted woodpeckers adopt a monogamous lifestyle during the breeding season and typically build their nests in decaying tree trunks. Nests are made by excavating new cavities each year, and old nests are rarely reused. The female individual lays 4 to 7 white eggs in her nest. The incubation period is approximately 10-14 days, during which both the female and male protect the eggs and incubate them alternately. The hatched chicks remain in the nest for about 3-4 weeks and are fed by their parents. After leaving the nest, the juveniles continue to remain under the supervision of their parents for a period.

Ecological Importance

Great spotted woodpeckers play an important balancing role in forest ecosystems. By consuming harmful insects and their larvae living under tree bark and in woody tissues, they contribute to controlling insect populations. This feeding habit helps maintain forest health, making trees more resistant to diseases and pests. Additionally, the nesting cavities they create in trees provide shelter for various bird species and other small forest creatures, thus contributing to the conservation of biodiversity.