Great Spotted Woodpecker

The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with striking black-and-white plumage. Males feature a red patch on the nape, while both sexes have a vibrant red undertail. Their flight is deeply undulating, and they are famous for their 'drumming' on resonant wood. This feather displays the iconic white-on-black barring found on the wings used for both flight and visual signaling.

Striking jet-black base color with bold, white oval spots arranged in transverse bands across the vane. The spots are most prominent on the outer web. The underside is a paler, more matte version of the top pattern.

Densely packed pennaceous barbs providing a rigid, aerodynamic surface. The barbules are tightly interlocked with hooklets to maintain the structural integrity required for powerful, undulating flight.

Relatively stiff and smooth with a slight oily sheen typical of healthy feathers. The surface is matte-to-semi-glossy on the black sections, providing high contrast with the white spots.

High-contrast jet black background, distinct rounded/oval white spots forming broken bars, and a stiff rachis characteristic of the Order Piciformes.

Found in a wide variety of woodlands including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests. Also common in parks, gardens, and urban areas with mature trees.

Widespread across the Palearctic, from Great Britain and Western Europe across Russia to Japan, and south into portions of North Africa and Southeast Asia.

Primary cavity nester; they create holes used by many other species (like tits and owls). They play a vital role in controlling wood-boring insect populations. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN).

Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus) is nearly identical; Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates minor) has similar barring but the feathers are significantly smaller.

The 'drumming' of a Great Spotted Woodpecker can reach speeds of up to 40 hits per second. Their tongues are extremely long and coated in sticky saliva to extract larvae from deep within tree bark.

Good to Excellent. The feather appears fresh with minimal wear on the edges, suggesting it may have been molted recently or came from a healthy adult bird. No visible fault bars.