Grey-headed Woodpecker
Picus canus
The Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) is a common woodpecker found in 55 countries, weighing about 137 g. The grey-headed woodpecker, also known as the grey-faced woodpecker, is a Eurasian member of the woodpecker family, Picidae.
About the Grey-headed Woodpecker
The grey-headed woodpecker, also known as the grey-faced woodpecker, is a Eurasian member of the woodpecker family, Picidae. Along with the more commonly found European green woodpecker and the Iberian green woodpecker, it is one of three closely related species found in Europe. Its distribution also stretches across large parts of the central and Eastern Palaearctic, all the way to the Pacific Ocean and south to the Himalaya and the Malay Peninsula.
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How to identify it
The grey-headed woodpecker is 25–26 cm (9.8–10.2 in) in length, has a wingspan of 38–40 cm (15–16 in) and weighs around 125 g (4.4 oz). The male of the nominate subspecies has a grey head with a red forecrown. There is a black line across the lores and a narrow black moustache stripe. The back, scapulars and wing coverts are green. The breast and underbody are pale grey. The folded primaries are barred brown-black on grey-white. The female lacks the red forecrown but has fine black streaks on the crown. Voice: Calls made by the European green woodpecker and grey-headed woodpecker resemble each other. The far-carrying territorial song of the grey-headed woodpecker is more melodic and cleaner than the explosive "laughter" of the green woodpecker. The call series consists of ten to fifteen utterances of declining pitch and gradual slowing. The verse may appear melancholic and "dying".
What the Grey-headed Woodpecker sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Belgium, Netherlands, Malaysia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Grey-headed Woodpecker?
- The grey-headed woodpecker is 25–26 cm (9.8–10.2 in) in length, has a wingspan of 38–40 cm (15–16 in) and weighs around 125 g (4.4 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Grey-headed Woodpecker?
- The Grey-headed Woodpecker is a medium sized bird weighing about 137 g.
- Where can you see a Grey-headed Woodpecker?
- The Grey-headed Woodpecker occurs in 55 countries, including Sweden, India, Finland, Norway and China.
- What does a Grey-headed Woodpecker sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Grey-headed Woodpecker on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Grey-headed Woodpecker?
- The Grey-headed Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Iberian Green Woodpecker, the Lesser Yellownape and the Streak-throated Woodpecker.
Learn the Grey-headed Woodpecker for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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