- Dendrocopos syriacus
Identification
23-25cm. Glossy black upperparts, crimson spot on nape, white sides of face and neck, large white shoulder patch, flight feathers barred black and white, buff underparts, red undertail coverts, black bill, green-grey legs. Females have no crimson on their nape.
Distribution
Taxonomy
Habitat
Open woodland, scrubland, parks.
Behaviour
The diet includes insects, moths, beetles and larvae; when insects are scarce they eat seeds and berries.
A 5cm nesting hole is bored into soft wood and the chamber is lined with woodchips. 11 cream eggs are laid.
