White-backed Woodpecker

The White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) is a distinguished member of the avian community, boasting a size that surpasses other spotted woodpeckers within the western Palearctic. Adults typically measure between 24 to 26 centimeters in length, with a wingspan stretching from 38 to 40 centimeters. The plumage of this species is reminiscent of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, yet it is uniquely characterized by white bars across the wings and a white lower back, rather than spots.

Identification Tips

To identify the male White-backed Woodpecker, one should look for its vibrant red crown, a striking contrast to the female's black crown. Both sexes exhibit a robust bill, ideal for their wood-boring activities, and their drumming can be heard as a very loud, resonant sound in the forest.

Habitat

This species thrives in large expanses of mature deciduous forests, where high quantities of standing and laying dead wood provide an ideal environment for foraging and nesting.

Distribution

The White-backed Woodpecker's range is extensive, with the nominate race D. l. leucotos found across central and northern Europe, and the race D. l. lilfordi in the Balkans and Turkey. The species further diversifies into ten additional races extending eastward to Korea and Japan.

Behaviour

The White-backed Woodpecker is known for its preference for dead wood, where it skillfully excavates nest holes approximately 7 centimeters in diameter and 30 centimeters deep. Its breeding season is marked by the laying of three to five immaculate white eggs, which are incubated for a period of 10 to 11 days.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of this woodpecker includes a soft "kiuk" and a more prolonged "kweek," both of which add to the symphony of the forest soundscape.

Breeding

During the breeding season, the White-backed Woodpecker demonstrates a strong affinity for decaying tree trunks, which serve as the canvas for their nesting cavities.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the White-backed Woodpecker is predominantly composed of wood-boring beetles and their larvae. However, it also includes a variety of other insects, nuts, seeds, and berries, making it an omnivorous forager.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the White-backed Woodpecker as Least Concern, indicating a stable population status. However, certain regional declines have prompted conservation actions, such as those taken by the Swedish government to protect the species under their national Biodiversity Action Plan.