Black Woodpecker

NL: Zwarte specht
D: Schwarzspecht
F: Pic Noir

Latin name: Dryocopus martius (Linnaeus, 1758)

Bird group: Woodpeckers

Sound: Loud ‘kruu kruu kruu’ in flight, lower and slower than Green Woodpecker call and with distinct ‘r’ sound. Also has a complaining ‘whoe jeèè’. Ruffles regular and very loud.

Field characteristics: 46 cm. Largest European woodpecker. Easily recognized by all-black plumage. Flight less wavy than other woodpeckers, somewhat similar to flight of jay. Male has red cap, female has small red spot on back of crown. Beak horn colored. Makes large burrows in trees.

Occurrences: Scarce in many parts of the area, but more common in the north.

Habitat: Mixed and coniferous forest, but never in very dense forests.

Food: Mainly ants and beetles, but also fruits and seeds. Forages both on the ground and in trees. Spends a lot of time on tree stumps.

Song/call: