Birds
Black Woodpecker
Dryocopus martius · Ciocănitoare neagră
Europe's largest woodpecker, all black with a red crown, living in mature forests.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Resident
- Habitat
- Forest
- Activity
- Daytime
- Diet
- Ants and wood-boring insect larvae.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Difficult
Identification
Crow-sized, black with a pale bill; males have a full red crown, females a red patch at the back.
Habitat
Large, mature beech and conifer forests.
Approximate range in Romania
When it is active
Daytime
Diet
Ants and wood-boring insect larvae.
Behaviour
Loud, ringing calls and powerful drumming. Excavates large oval holes.
Seasonality in Romania
- JanPresent
- FebPresent
- MarPresent
- AprPresent
- MayPresent
- JunPresent
- JulPresent
- AugPresent
- SepPresent
- OctPresent
- NovPresent
- DecPresent
Existing monthly estimates are retained for reference, but have not yet been verified against a Romanian source and are excluded from seasonal filters. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.
Breeding
Digs its nest hole in large trees; old holes are used by other species.
How to find it
Listen for its calls in old beech forests.
Photography
General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.
- Difficulty
- Difficult
Practical starting points, not fixed rules.