About the Black Woodpecker
The black woodpecker is a large woodpecker that lives in mature forests across the northern Palearctic. It is the sole representative of its genus in that region, and its range is expanding. The black woodpecker is easily the largest woodpecker species in Europe as well as in the portion of Asia where it lives and is one of the largest species worldwide. This non-migratory species tends to make its home in old-growth forest or large forest stands and excavates a large tree hole to reside in. In turn, several species rely on black woodpeckers to secondarily reside in the holes made in trees by them. This woodpecker's diet consists mostly of carpenter ants. This species is closely related to,…
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ID tip
The black woodpecker measures 45 to 55 cm (18 to 22 in) long with a 64 to 84 cm (25 to 33 in) wingspan. Body weight is approximately 250 to 400 g (8.8 to 14.1 oz) on average. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 22.7 to 26 cm (8.9 to 10.2 in), the tail is 15.9 to 17.3 cm (6.3 to 6.8 in), the very long bill is 5 to 6.7 cm (2.0 to 2.6 in) and the tarsus is 3.6 to 4 cm (1.4 to 1.6 in).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Black Woodpecker sounds like
Where the Black Woodpecker lives
When to see the Black Woodpecker
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Lineated WoodpeckerDryocopus lineatusThe lineated woodpecker is 31.5 to 36 cm (12.4 to 14.2 in) long.
White-bellied WoodpeckerDryocopus javensisThis species is one of the largest living species of woodpecker.
Andaman WoodpeckerDryocopus hodgeiThe Andaman woodpecker is around 38 cm (15 in) long and weighs between 156–255 g (5.5–9.0 oz).
Side by side: Black Woodpecker vs Pileated Woodpecker · Black Woodpecker vs Lineated Woodpecker
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