Birds
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos major · Ciocănitoare pestriță mare
A black, white and red woodpecker found in woods, parks and gardens, often announced by its drumming in spring.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Resident
- Habitat
- Forest / Urban
- Activity
- Daytime
- Diet
- Insects and larvae from wood, seeds from cones, and sometimes eggs or nestlings of other birds.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Easy to observe
Identification
Black and white with large white shoulder patches and red under the tail. Males have a red patch on the back of the head.
Habitat
Deciduous and coniferous woodland, parks and large gardens with mature trees.
Distribution
Widespread across Europe and Asia. Present all year in Romania.
Approximate range in Romania
When it is active
Daytime
Diet
Insects and larvae from wood, seeds from cones, and sometimes eggs or nestlings of other birds.
Behaviour
Drums rapidly on dead branches to mark territory. Flies with a bounding, undulating flight.
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
Excavates its nest hole in a tree trunk.
How to find it
Mature woods and city parks; listen for drumming in late winter and spring.
Photography
General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.
- Difficulty
- Easy to observe
Practical starting points, not fixed rules.