Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates minor) Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status

David Coultham

Updated on:

Species Guide | Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates Minor)

You may also be interested in our Woodpeckers In The British Isles Guide.

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Video | Everything You Need To Know About The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

APPEARANCE

The lesser spotted woodpecker, a bird the size of a sparrow, is easily recognized by its black and white plumage and vibrant red crown. These small woodpeckers have a distinctive appearance, with a black and white head and a striking red cap on males. They have a short yet powerful beak, black wings with white bars, and a white breast with dark streaks. The lesser spotted woodpecker is a secretive bird, the drumming display is one of the few ways to detect its presence.

Image Credit | DennisJacobsen

Diet

In terms of diet, these woodpeckers primarily feed on insects and invertebrates. Their strong beaks allow them to peck into decaying wood to access beetle larvae. They also consume aphids and other insects found on tree trunks and branches.

HABITAT

The lesser spotted woodpecker is a mature woodland specialist, depending on the presence of old, dead, and decaying trees that are typically found in this habitat. It can also be found in parks and orchards that have an ample number of aged trees. This particular species is considered rare, with the majority of its population concentrated in southern England, and smaller scattered populations in Wales and regions further north. However, it is notably absent from both Ireland and Scotland. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker appears to be declining; there were only something like 600 breeding pairs1 as of 2015.

Did You Know? The best place to see the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the U.K. is the New Forest.

Note that this map is for a rough illustration of animal distribution across the UK1, whereby light green indicates established populations.

Behavior

Similar to great spotted woodpeckers, the lesser spotted woodpeckers also use drumming as a way to establish their territory. By tapping on trees with their beaks, they assert their presence and defend their chosen area.

When it comes to breeding, lesser spotted woodpeckers start their breeding season early in the year. They create nesting holes in old trees, using their powerful beaks to drill into the wood. Typically, they lay four to six eggs, which hatch after approximately two weeks. The chicks remain in the nest for about three weeks before they are ready to leave.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Drumming On Wood & Calling:

Alan Dalton, xeno-canto.org

Image Credit | DennisJacobsen

STATS

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are up to 150 mm in height with a wing length of up to 91 mm and weigh up to 22.5g.

Wing Length291 mm
Body Weight322.5 grams
Longevity17 Years

NATURAL PREDATORS

As with many of our inland birds, they are susceptible to being predated upon by Sparrowhawks.

Conservation Status

Unfortunately, this species has disappeared from many of its previous habitats. It is now only found in England and Wales, and its population has significantly declined since the 1980s. The exact reasons for this decline are still unknown, although the loss of open woodland habitats may be a contributing factor. Additionally, competition with the increasing population of Great Spotted Woodpeckers could also be a factor. They are a Red Listed species in the U.K. but least concern from a global standpoint.

U.K.
Conservation Status

Global
Conservation Status



References

  1. British Trust for Ornithology
  2. Featherbase
  3. RSPB
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