Lesser spotted woodpecker
Dendrocopos minor
Habitat
The Lesser spotted woodpecker is found in large parts of Europe, with the exception of Ireland, Scotland and Iceland. This bird species lives in lowland deciduous forests, open deciduous forests near lakes and rivers, parks, orchards and mixed forests. The habitat should contain a large number of thin woody debris, such as old vegetation, riparian forests, old trees and dead trees. This is because these serve as foraging areas and are used for nesting.
Appearance
Diet
The Lesser spotted woodpecker forages on Insects, berries and seeds. During the breeding season, this bird species also eats Arthropods and caterpillars.
Breeding
The Lesser spotted woodpecker adopts a monogamous mating system, where the pair bond may last for several years. Polyandry sometimes occurs in females, while polygyny may occur in males. In February, the Lesser spotted woodpecker begins courtship displays, including fluttering flights, gliding flights and spreading its wings and tail.
Both the male and female excavate the nest cavity. The nest is located in a cavity on the underside of a dead branch or rotten stump or on the trunk. The nest cavity is located at a height of 0.40 to 20 m.
In April through mid-May, the Lesser spotted woodpecker lays 5 to 6 eggs. The pair incubates the eggs over a period of 10 to 12 days. After the eggs hatch, both sexes care for the chicks. After 18 to 21 days, the young fly out, but the parents care for the young for another 1 to 2 weeks.
Middle spotted woodpecker
Dendrocopos medius
Habitat
Its range consists of central and eastern Europe, but this bird species is increasingly migrating westward. The Middle spotted woodpecker is found in mature deciduous and old-growth forests, with trees with rough bark.
Appearance
Diet
The food of the Middle spotted woodpecker consists of both plant and animal matter.
Breeding
The Middle spotted woodpecker adopts a monogamous mating system, where the pair bond may last for several years. Some Middle Spotted Woodpeckers are “floaters. These birds roam around certain (non-) territories. If one bird of the pair dies, the ‘floater’ may invade and continue to help with the breeding process.
From January through March, this bird species performs courtship behaviors, which include conspicuous crest raises and typical fluttering flights. The nest cavity is dug by the pair in a log or in a large branch at a height of 5 to 10 m. The wood is usually dead or rotten. Digging out the cavity takes an average of 8 to 20 days.
In mid-April to early May, the female lays 4 to 8 eggs. Both the male and female incubate the eggs in 11 to 14 days. The pair both take care of nest hygiene and feeding the chicks. The chicks remain in the nest for 20 to 26 days. After fledging, the young will remain with the parents for another 8 to 11 days.
Great spotted woodpecker
Dendrocopos major
Habitat
The Great spotted woodpecker is found in the forests of Europe. This bird species inhabits all types of woods, forests, groves, tree-lined avenues, parks, open cultural landscapes and gardens.
Appearance
Diet
The Great spotted woodpecker is an omnivore, meaning that this bird species eats both plant and animal material.
Breeding
The Great spotted woodpecker is a serially monogamous species. This means that the pair is monogamous during the breeding season, but changes partners during the following breeding season. In December, the male starts displaying courtship behaviors, such as holding fluttering flights and performing call sequences.
Together, the pair will excavate the nest cavity with their bill in a dead or living tree. The nest cavity is located at an elevation of 0.30 to 26 m. The Great spotted woodpecker does not use cladding material to line the nest.
From mid-April through June, the female lays 4 to 8 eggs. During the day, both sexes will incubate the eggs, but at night only the male is on the nest. The incubation period lasts 10 to 12 days. The pair will care for the chicks and clean the nest. After 10 days, the young leave the nest, but remain near the nest for another 5 to 10 days. During these days, both parents feed the young.
European green woodpecker
Picus viridis
Habitat
The European green woodpecker lives in Britain, Scandinavia and from continental Europe to western Russia. The habitat of this bird species includes forest edges, riparian forests, woodlands, parks, orchards, large gardens and residential areas. These habitats must have adjacent grasslands because the European green woodpecker uses grasslands for foraging.
Appearance
Diet
The European green woodpecker feeds primarily on Ants. Its diet also consists of Insects, Earthworms, Snails and fruit.
Breeding
The European green woodpecker maintains a monogamous mating system, with the mating bond lasting several years. In December, the male starts a contact call to the female and the contact call increases in the spring. The contact call consists of striking branches with the bill. Then courtship takes place and the pair starts looking for suitable nest cavities. Once the pair finds a suitable nest cavity, reconciliation demonstrations decrease.
The breeding season starts from early April and lasts through June. The nest cavity is dug by the pair in dead or soft live wood, but the male does most of the work. The nest cavity is located at a height of 2 to 10 m. The nest consists of an entrance hole, tunnel and nest chamber. The pair covers the bottom of the nest cavity with wood chips.
The female lays 5 to 8 eggs. The female incubates during the day and the male incubates at night. The pair incubates the eggs in 14 to 17 days. To feed the chicks, the parents regurgitate food at the nest cavity. After 23 to 27 days, the young leave the nest. They will split up with the parents, giving each adult 3 to 4 young to care for for the next 3 to 7 weeks.
How can you help the Woodpeckers?
The European green woodpecker, Lesser spotted woodpecker, Middle spotted woodpecker and Great spotted woodpecker use a woodpecker nest box to nest in. The woodpecker nest box should preferably be hung on a deciduous tree in the garden or in a wooded area. The woodpecker nesting box should be hung at a minimum height of 3 m. Place the woodpecker nesting box so that the entrance opening is not in full sun or rain. To make the woodpecker nest box more attractive to the Woodpeckers, you can add another layer of sawdust on the bottom.