Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

The lesser spotted woodpecker, Dryobates minor, is the smallest woodpecker in Europe. It measures a mere 14 to 16.5 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 24 to 29 cm, and weighs between 17 to 25 grams. Its plumage is characterized by broad barring on the wings and narrower bars across the lower back, which are particularly distinctive when observed on a tree trunk.

Identification Tips

Males can be identified by their crimson crown, contrasting with a brown forehead and black superciliary stripe. The nape and upper back are black, transitioning to a lower back barred with black and white. The wings feature broader bars, and the outer tail feathers are similarly barred. Underparts are white with streaks along the flanks, and the bill and legs are slate-grey. Females lack the crimson crown, displaying a white crown instead, while juveniles of both sexes may show varying amounts of crimson on the head.

Habitat

This species is most commonly found in the tops of tall trees within woods and parks, where it may often be overlooked due to its small size and high perch.

Distribution

The lesser spotted woodpecker's range extends across the Palearctic region, with several subspecies recognized across its wide distribution.

Behaviour

The lesser spotted woodpecker exhibits habits similar to its larger relative, the great spotted woodpecker. It has a distinctive bounding flight from tree to tree and emits a loud "keek" call. Its drumming, a vibrating rattle, serves as a territorial and courtship signal and can be distinguished from that of larger woodpecker species with some experience.

Song & Calls

The bird's vocalizations include a repeated "keek" and a vibrating rattle, which serves as its song, particularly prominent during the early part of the year when courtship begins.

Breeding

Nesting typically occurs at considerable heights, often between 10 to 20 meters above ground. The nesting cavity is reached through a smaller burrow than that of the great spotted woodpecker, with a diameter of 2.5 to 5 cm. Clutches usually consist of five to eight glossy white eggs laid on wood dust and chips in late May, with both parents sharing incubation duties.

Similar Species

The lesser spotted woodpecker can be confused with other woodpecker species, but its small size and distinctive barred plumage set it apart.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet consists of wood-boring larvae and other insects, which it forages for by chipping away at rotten wood. During the breeding season, it shifts to surface-living insects, and nestlings are primarily fed aphids and larval insects.

Conservation status

As of the latest assessment, the lesser spotted woodpecker is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, populations have been reported to decline in some areas, such as the UK, where modern practices of removing dead trees from parks and woodlands have reduced available nesting habitats.