Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

The lesser spotted woodpecker is a sparrow-sized black-and-white woodpecker weighing about 21 g. Numerous narrow white bars cross the wings and lower back; males carry a red crown, while females lack red on the head. Its small size separates it from great and middle spotted woodpeckers. A repeated sharp call and a relatively soft, vibrating drum often reveal birds feeding high in the canopy before they are seen (BTO BirdFacts; Woodland Trust).

It specializes in mature broad-leaved woodland, parks and wooded river corridors containing old, dead and decaying trees. The bird searches bark and thin outer branches for insects and other invertebrates, exploiting small twigs that heavier woodpeckers cannot use. Pairs excavate nest cavities in soft dead wood and typically lay four to six eggs. Removal of decaying trees reduces both nesting and feeding habitat. Korean occurrence should be documented carefully because the species is easily overlooked (BTO BirdFacts; Woodland Trust).