Picus canus
The Grey-headed Woodpecker (*Picus canus*) is a medium-sized and relatively retiring member of the Picidae family, captivating observers with its distinctive appearance. Measuring 25-26 cm in length with a wingspan of 38-42 cm and weighing between 80-140 grams, it presents a pale grey head, vibrant green back and wings, and a striking yellow rump. A key field mark for identification is the male's small yet prominent red patch on the forecrown, entirely absent in females, marking the primary s...
Inhabits mature deciduous and mixed forests, often near clearings, wetlands, or orchards, from lowlands up to montane elevations.
Feeds primarily on ants and their larvae, supplementing its diet with other insects like beetles, caterpillars, and occasionally berries or seeds, mostly foraging on the ground or low on tree trunks.
The Grey-headed Woodpecker is a diurnal species, typically found singly or in pairs, roosting in self-excavated tree cavities at night. Foraging primarily involves pecking and probing for ants on the ground and at the base of trees, but they also scale bark and drill for other insects on trunks a...
The Grey-headed Woodpecker boasts an extensive Palearctic distribution, stretching from Central and Northern Europe eastward across temperate Asia to the Pacific coast, including parts of Japan and China. Its breeding range encompasses countries like France, Germany, Scandinavia, and Eastern Euro...
Least Concern
- The Grey-headed Woodpecker's mournful, fluting call is often described as a "whistling laugh" and is one of the most distinctive sounds of its forest habitat. - Unlike many woodpeckers, it spends a significant amount of time foraging on the ground, specifically targeting ant colonies with its s...