This ‘Spotlight on’ instalment focuses on one of the UK’s most brightly-coloured, elusive and loudest birds - welcome to our Spotlight on: Woodpeckers.
Did you know...
- Woodpeckers are able to peck trees at a rate of up to 20 times per second, with a force of up to 1,000 times the force of gravity!
- They have specially adapted necks that allow them to absorb the shock of their pecking and protect their brains!
Woodpecker populations in the UK have been on the rise in recent years, due in part to conservation efforts aimed at preserving their habitat and reducing pesticide use. We stock a huge range of bird feeders, bird tables and nest boxes, ideal for your local woodpeckers, plus all other types of garden wildlife.
There are three species of woodpecker found in the United Kingdom:
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Photo: Charles Thomas
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is the largest of the three UK species, sometimes growing to a length of up to 23cm, with a wingspan of up to 38cm.
It has a distinctive black and white striped pattern on its back and wings, with a bright red patch on the lower belly of males. Females have the same pattern but without the red patch. The great spotted woodpecker can be found in woodlands and parks across the UK and is known for its loud drumming sound, which it uses to establish its territory.
The Green Woodpecker
Photo: Arda Donerkayali
The green woodpecker is the largest of the three, measuring about 32cm, with males weighing up to 170 grams and females up to 150 grams.
It has a distinctive green colour on its back and wings, with a bright red cap on its head. The green woodpecker can be found in woodlands, parks, and gardens and is known for its loud, laughing call.
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Photo: Craig Brelsford
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is the smallest of the UK species, with a length of around 15cm and a wingspan of around 25cm.
It has a black and white barred pattern on its back and wings, with a red crown on males. Females have a black crown. The lesser spotted woodpecker is less common than the great spotted woodpecker and can be found in woodlands and gardens.
All three species of woodpeckers in the UK feed on insects, mainly ants and beetles, and also on nuts and fruits. They have strong, pointed beaks and long tongues that they use to extract insects from crevices in trees. Woodpeckers are important indicators of the health of woodlands and play an important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
We offer a high-quality Woodpecker Nesting Box featuring a mini CCD camera for you to watch your nesting woodpeckers 24/7 up close on your TV. Manufactured from durable Western Red Cedar, our CCD Woodpecker Nesting Box is quick and easy to set up, and available with either a 15, 30 or 50m cable.
Click here to check it out.
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