White-backed Woodpecker
Dendrocopos leucotos
The White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) is a uncommon woodpecker found in 39 countries, weighing about 117 g. The white-backed woodpecker is a Eurasian woodpecker belonging to the genus Dendrocopos.
About the White-backed Woodpecker
The white-backed woodpecker is a Eurasian woodpecker belonging to the genus Dendrocopos.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
It is the largest of the spotted woodpeckers in the western Palearctic, 24–26 cm long with wing-span 38–40 cm. The plumage is similar to the great spotted woodpecker, but with white bars across the wings rather than spots, and a white lower back. The male has a red crown, the female a black one. Drumming by males is very loud, calls include a soft kiuk and a longer kweek.
What the White-backed Woodpecker sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in North Korea, Kosovo.
When to see it
The White-backed Woodpecker can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-backed Woodpecker?
- It is the largest of the spotted woodpeckers in the western Palearctic, 24–26 cm long with wing-span 38–40 cm. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-backed Woodpecker?
- The White-backed Woodpecker is a medium sized bird weighing about 117 g.
- Where can you see a White-backed Woodpecker?
- The White-backed Woodpecker occurs in 39 countries, including Norway, Finland, Taiwan, Russia and South Korea.
- What does a White-backed Woodpecker sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the White-backed Woodpecker on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a White-backed Woodpecker?
- The White-backed Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, the Freckle-breasted Woodpecker and the Himalayan Woodpecker.
Learn the White-backed 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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