Hello, everyone! If you listen carefully in the forest, you might hear the rhythmic sound of tapping on wood. That could very well be the work of the Great Spotted Woodpecker.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is about the size of a starling, measuring approximately 24cm in length. It sports a vivid coloration of red, white, and black, with its red bottom serving as its charm point. Additionally, there’s a clever way to distinguish males from females. Males have bright red feathers on the back of their head, while females do not. This slight difference allows them to recognize each other, which is quite romantic, isn’t it?
First, let’s talk about the Great Spotted Woodpecker’s home-building. They drill holes into tree trunks to create their nests. For this, they use their strong and sturdy beaks. You might wonder if that hurts them, but rest assured. The Great Spotted Woodpecker has a secret weapon to protect its precious head. Its tongue extends long and wraps around inside its head in a special structure, acting like a helmet to protect it.
When it’s time to eat, the Great Spotted Woodpecker skillfully catches insects inside trees using its long tongue. In spring, it showcases a special talent called “drumming.” This is when it rapidly taps on wood in succession, producing a unique sound. This sound is crucial for declaring territory or attracting a partner. The astonishing speed of this tapping can reach up to 20 times per second.
In the forest, the Great Spotted Woodpecker flits around, occasionally flashing its red bottom. Next time you visit the forest, try to listen for the drumming of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Their presence makes our walks in the woods even more enjoyable. Until next time!
