Middle Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocoptes medius
The Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius) is a uncommon woodpecker found in 41 countries. The middle spotted woodpecker is a mainly European woodpecker belonging to the genus Dendrocoptes.
About the Middle Spotted Woodpecker
The middle spotted woodpecker is a mainly European woodpecker belonging to the genus Dendrocoptes.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The middle spotted woodpecker is 20–22 cm long and has plumage similar to the great spotted woodpecker. As with that species the upperparts are predominantly black with white oval wing patches and white barring on the wings, and the underparts are white. The main differences are a red crown, lack of a black moustachial stripe, a pink vent, and dark streaks on the flanks. Although only slightly smaller than the great spotted woodpecker, it appears smaller due to its short, slender bill and more rounded, pale head.
What the Middle Spotted Woodpecker sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Middle Spotted Woodpecker can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Middle Spotted Woodpecker?
- The middle spotted woodpecker is 20–22 cm long and has plumage similar to the great spotted woodpecker. Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Middle Spotted Woodpecker?
- The Middle Spotted Woodpecker occurs in 41 countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, Poland and Czechia.
- What does a Middle Spotted Woodpecker sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Middle Spotted Woodpecker?
- The Middle Spotted Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Brown-fronted Woodpecker and the Arabian Woodpecker.
- Is the Middle Spotted Woodpecker endangered?
- The Middle Spotted Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Middle Spotted 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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