Dendrocoptes medius (Linnaeus, 1758)

Species and Size

The middle spotted woodpecker, Dendrocoptes medius, is 20–22 cm in total length, with plumage that resembles the great spotted woodpecker.

Upperpart and Underpart Coloration

Like the great spotted woodpecker, its upperparts are mostly black, with white oval patches and white barring on the wings, while its underparts are white.

Key Plumage Differences from Great Spotted Woodpecker

The key differences between the two species are that the middle spotted woodpecker has a red crown, no black moustachial stripe, a pink vent, and dark streaks on its flanks.

Size and Appearance Relative to Great Spotted Woodpecker

Although only slightly smaller than the great spotted woodpecker, it looks smaller because of its short, slender bill and more rounded, pale head.

Distinction from Syrian Woodpecker

It can also be confused with the Syrian woodpecker, especially juvenile Syrian woodpeckers; it can be distinguished from the Syrian woodpecker by its smaller bill, its red crown lacking narrow black sides, and its moustachial stripe not reaching the bill.

Global Distribution Range

This species is found only in Europe and parts of West Asia within the Palearctic.

East-West and Southern Range Extent

Its range extends from northern Spain and France east to Poland and Ukraine, and south to locally present central Italy, the Balkan Peninsula, Lithuania, Latvia, Turkey, the Caucasus, and Iran.

Regional Population Status in Baltic States and Fennoscandia

It is common in Estonia, but almost completely absent from Finland.

Extinction and Recolonization in Sweden

It used to breed in Sweden before going extinct there in the 1980s, but middle spotted woodpeckers have been seen again in their breeding habitat in Sweden in recent years, indicating the country is being recolonized.

Absence from British Isles

Because the species is sedentary, it has never been recorded in the British Isles.

Preferred Habitat

It prefers deciduous forest areas, particularly those with old oak, hornbeam and elm, and a mix of clearings, pasture and dense woodland.

Feeding Behaviour

In terms of behaviour, this woodpecker prefers to feed high in trees, moving constantly which makes it difficult to get a clear view of the bird.

Nest Excavation

During the breeding season, it excavates a nest hole around 5 cm wide into a decaying tree trunk or thick branch.

Egg Laying and Incubation

It lays four to seven eggs, and incubation lasts 11–14 days.

Primary Diet Components

Its diet consists mainly of insects and their larvae, which it picks from branches and twigs rather than hacking them out from under bark.

Supplementary Diet

It will also feed on tree sap.

Territorial Communication

It is rarely heard drumming, and never drums for territorial purposes; it asserts territory through song, a slow, nasal sequence of gvayk notes.

Additional Call Type

Its other calls include a fast kik kekekekek.