Bird
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Size
22–23 cmAbout the size of a large starling
Weight
70–98 gAbout the weight of a small apple
Lifespan
11 years
Rarity
Common
M vs F
Males have a red patch on the back of the head; females have no red on the head at all. Both have a red vent.
Habitat
Woodland, parks, large gardens with mature trees
Best time
Year-round; most visible and vocal in spring
Conservation
UK: Green
LC
💡 Did you know?
A woodpecker's skull has a built-in shock absorber — its brain is wrapped in spongy bone and positioned to minimise impact from up to 20 pecks per second
Its tongue is so long it wraps around the skull — anchored to the right nostril — allowing it to probe deep into bark for beetle larvae
Often confused with
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (sparrow-sized
streaked
no bold white shoulder patch)
Green Woodpecker (green
red crown
laughing call)
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