The great spotted woodpecker is easily recognised by its striking black-and-white feathers. The male also has a bright red patch on the back of its head. It has a bouncing flight and spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches. It also makes a loud drumming sound that forms a territorial display.
The great spotted woodpecker can be found in wooded areas including parks and gardens.
The great spotted woodpecker has a very clever way of getting into nuts and pinecones. It places them in clefts in the tree trunk and hammers them open with its bill. During its search for food it usually lands on the trunk and then moves up the tree in a side to side motion. As it moves upwards it taps the bark, breaking off pieces and digging out food from crevices with the help of its sticky tongue! The great spotted woodpecker nests in holes in tree trunks that it makes itself.
Omnivore: During spring and summer the Great Spotted feeds on insects, including ants, beetle larvae and even young birds! However during autumn and winter they eat a variety of fruits, seeds and nuts.
The change from broadleaved woodland to coniferous woodland has affected the number and type of different species found in the New Forest. Great spotted woodpeckers need large trees to make their nests and also like dead trees as these provide a good food source. A decline in this type of woodland would have severe consequences on their numbers.