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;Dendrocopos minor | ;Dendrocopos minor | ||
[[Image:Lesser_Spotted_Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by johnrobinson]] | [[Image:Lesser_Spotted_Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by johnrobinson]] | ||
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Photo taken: Wyre Forest, Worcs, England | Photo taken: Wyre Forest, Worcs, England | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker | Lesser Spotted Woodpecker | ||
Dendrocopos minor | Dendrocopos minor | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | A widespread breeding bird from southern Britain, France and northern Spain east across Eurasia to the northern China, Sakhalin and northern Japan. To the north breeds over most of Fenno-Scandia and across Russia except the extreme north. Range extends south to the Pyrenees, southern Italy and Greece and also breeds in western and northern Turkey and the Caucasus. More isolated populations breed in scattered parts of central and southern Iberia, the Azores and northern Algeria. May breed on Sardinia but status unclear, former breeder on Sicily. | ||
Resident but may be nomadic and sometimes eruptive in the north and east. Breeding range has contracted in some areas and especially scarce in Iberia and North Africa. | Resident but may be nomadic and sometimes eruptive in the north and east. Breeding range has contracted in some areas and especially scarce in Iberia and North Africa. | ||
Vagrants recorded on the Balearic Islands and Corsica. | Vagrants recorded on the Balearic Islands and Corsica. | ||
| − | + | ==Taxonomy== | |
| + | About ten races are recognised differing slightly in size and colour. Generally, birds with longer bills and wings and whiter plumage occur in the north and smaller birds with buffier underparts are found in the south but much intergradation occurs and there are few distinct boundaries between races. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | Found in many types of woodland and forest containing dead and dying trees but favours deciduous trees and orchards, sometimes parks and large gardens, and tends to avoid conifers. | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Feeds high in branches rather than on the trunk of the tree and can be very difficult to locate. The best time to look for this species is in early spring when the birds are calling and there are few leaves on the trees. | ||
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==Bird Song== | ==Bird Song== | ||
<flashmp3>Dendrocopos minor (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Dendrocopos minor (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
Revision as of 15:32, 18 June 2007
- Dendrocopos minor
Photo taken: Wyre Forest, Worcs, England
Identification
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor
Distribution
A widespread breeding bird from southern Britain, France and northern Spain east across Eurasia to the northern China, Sakhalin and northern Japan. To the north breeds over most of Fenno-Scandia and across Russia except the extreme north. Range extends south to the Pyrenees, southern Italy and Greece and also breeds in western and northern Turkey and the Caucasus. More isolated populations breed in scattered parts of central and southern Iberia, the Azores and northern Algeria. May breed on Sardinia but status unclear, former breeder on Sicily.
Resident but may be nomadic and sometimes eruptive in the north and east. Breeding range has contracted in some areas and especially scarce in Iberia and North Africa. Vagrants recorded on the Balearic Islands and Corsica.
Taxonomy
About ten races are recognised differing slightly in size and colour. Generally, birds with longer bills and wings and whiter plumage occur in the north and smaller birds with buffier underparts are found in the south but much intergradation occurs and there are few distinct boundaries between races.
Habitat
Found in many types of woodland and forest containing dead and dying trees but favours deciduous trees and orchards, sometimes parks and large gardens, and tends to avoid conifers.
Behaviour
Feeds high in branches rather than on the trunk of the tree and can be very difficult to locate. The best time to look for this species is in early spring when the birds are calling and there are few leaves on the trees.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Dendrocopos minor (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
