Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker (<em>Dendrocopos major</em>) is a species of Woodpeckers (<em>Picidae</em>) in the order Woodpeckers and Allies.
Overview
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) is a species of Woodpeckers (Picidae) in the order Woodpeckers and Allies. A black-and-white woodpecker with a crimson patch under the tail; drums on trunks to find insects and to signal; excavates nest holes in trees; visits garden feeders for nuts and suet.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Dendrocopos; binomial: Dendrocopos major; authority: (Linnaeus, 1758). Typical size: 22-24cm. Average lifespan: 5-10 years.
Distribution
Breeding range: the Palearctic.
Conservation Status
This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.
Remarks
D. major is not monophyletic (with weak support) in Pons et al. (2020); a western clade is sister to Dendrocopos darjellensis, while D. major japonicus is sister to D. syriacus.
