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MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER (DENDROCOPOS MEDIUS)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) is a European woodpecker belonging to the genus Dendrocopos.
The Middle Spotted Woodpecker is 20-22 cm long and has plumage similar to the Great Spotted Woodpecker. As with that species the upperparts are predominantly black with white oval wing patches and white barring on the wings, and the underparts are white. The main differences are a red crown, lack of a black moustachial stripe, a pink vent, and dark streaks on the flanks.Although only slightly smaller than the Great Spotted Woodpecker, it appears smaller due to its short, slender bill and more rounded, pale head. It can also be confused with the Syrian Woodpecker (particularly juveniles), being distinguished from this by the smaller bill, and the red crown not having narrow black sides.
The Middle Spotted Woodpecker occurs only in Europe and southwest Asia, from northern Spain and France east to Poland and Ukraine, and south to central Italy (where local), the Balkan Peninsula, Lithuania, Latvia, Turkey and the Caucasus. This species used to breed in Sweden but became extinct in the 80's. However, Middle Spotted Woodpeckers have been seen in Sweden in appropriate breeding habitats after the extinction. Due to its sedentary nature it has never been recorded in Great Britain. It prefers deciduous forest regions, especially areas with old oak, hornbeam and elm, and a patchwork of clearings, pasture and dense woodland.
Behaviourally it likes to feed high in the trees, moving constantly and making a good view difficult. In the breeding season it excavates a nest hole about 5cm wide in a decaying tree trunk or thick branch. It lays four to seven eggs and incubates for 11-14 days.
The Middle Spotted Woodpecker lives predominantly on a diet of insects as well as their larvae, which it finds by picking them from branches and twigs rather than hacking them from beneath the bark. It will also feed on tree sap. It is rarely heard drumming, and never for territorial purposes, which it asserts by song; a slow,nasal gvayk gvayk gvayk gvayk gvayk. Calls include a fast kik kekekekek.
Sister project Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dendrocopos medius |
nglen, jconceicao, zetu, ingridshaul has marked this note useful
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- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2900 W: 34 N: 8586]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(32012) - [2009-06-07 12:08]
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Hi Marius . You are posting some fine bird pictures for us to see. This time the Middle Spotted Woodpecker taken with a typical pose on the tree. You have taken it with fine colours and detail. With nice markings and lichen on the tree trunk. Good notes too. well done TFS.
Nick..
Hello Marius,
Fantastic shot.
Nice colours with great details.
Lighting and composition are splendid.
Good notes.
Hello Marius,
Congratulations for this excellent shot, with a great patience needed. The light on the bird and the bark is very beautiful. Best regards,
Catherine
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- zetu
(6115)
- [2009-06-07 21:50]
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Buna
Foarte frumoasa. E una dintre cele mai frumoase poze pe care le-am vazut cu aceasta specie. Pot sa spun ca e perfecta.
Numai bine.
Razvan
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- joska
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 400 W: 0 N: 985]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(5340) - [2009-06-08 1:16]
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Felicitarile mele pentru aceasta frumoasa fotografie cu Den med.!
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- joey
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(24727) - [2009-06-08 14:49]
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Very sharp capture, Marius!
Superb composition and really nice light.
Well done!
Joe
Hi Marius,
This is a very interesting photo. It actually looks a lot like the South African Cardinal Woodpecker, except in the local species only the male have a red crown.
Incidently I read somewhere - not long ago - that woodpeckers have a specially cushioned brain, to protect them against concussion from constantly hitting the wood...
The focus of your image is perfect - showing the sharp nails and on the other hand the blurred background intensifying the brilliant colour of the crown.
A beautiful portrait of a woodpecker.
Enjoy the rest of Sunday,
Kind Regards
Ingrid
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 30 W: 5 N: 93]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif)
(253)