Middle Spotted Woodpecker

The Middle Spotted Woodpecker is intermediate in size between the Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, sharing a broadly black-and-white pattern but with a distinctly paler, more washed-out appearance. Both males and females show a red crown, unlike the Great Spotted Woodpecker where only males have red on the head.

It is strongly associated with old, structurally complex deciduous woodland, particularly oak forest with rough bark and decaying wood, and is considerably more sedentary and habitat-specific than its commoner relatives.

Key field marks

• Red crown present in both sexes
• Paler, streaked pinkish-buff underparts compared to Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Less well-defined black moustache stripe, not reaching the bill
• White cheeks and forehead
• Softer, more subdued calls than Great Spotted Woodpecker; drums only weakly

Similar species

• Great Spotted Woodpecker has a red crown only in males (or juveniles), a bolder black moustache reaching the bill, and cleaner white underparts.
• Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is much smaller with a barred back and no red vent or belly wash.

Red crown in both sexes and streaky, pale underparts are the best clues to this species.

Habitat

Closely tied to mature, structurally diverse deciduous forest, especially old oak woodland with rough, fissured bark and standing dead wood.

Range

Occurs across much of central and eastern Europe, extending locally into parts of southern and western Europe; absent from Britain, Ireland, and Scandinavia.

Migration

Resident and highly sedentary, rarely dispersing far from natal woodland.

Behavior

Forages more delicately than larger woodpeckers, gleaning insects from bark crevices and small branches rather than heavy excavation, and drums only weakly and infrequently compared to relatives.

Voice

Gives a nasal, chattering "kek-kek-kek" call, softer and less explosive than the Great Spotted Woodpecker's sharp "chik".

Feeding

Feeds on insects and larvae gleaned from bark, along with some tree sap and seeds, especially outside the breeding season.

Nesting and breeding

Excavates nest holes in soft, decaying wood, often in old oaks. Females lay 4-8 eggs, incubated by both parents for around 10-12 days.