Black Woodpecker

gardenwatcher · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2011, 08:44 AM

This morning I saw a black woodpecker on a bare branch in the garden.
Seen it several times, on the telegraph pole pecking away during the course of this year.
We do have the green woodpecker coming in the garen, I have posted the pictures of that, but the black one is much smaller and much more shy, by the time I get the camera hes gone!

King Edward · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2011, 10:41 AM

This would be a Great Spotted Woodpecker, not Black Woodpecker which we don't get in the UK. There is also Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but these are much smaller (Sparrow sized) and quite rare.

RoyW · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2011, 01:37 PM

As KE says, if this is nota Green Woodpecker it is most likely to be a Great or Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. If it is black there is a chance it could be melanistic - which would make it a very interesting bird.
Black Woodpeckers are by far the largest European woodpecker, far larger than Green Woodpecker.

Billabong Karen · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2011, 01:48 PM

Keep your camera at the ready and take a photo if it appears again.

No mistaking the Black Woodpecker, which is large, all black, and with yellow eyes (and not a UK native). But your black woodpecker (without capitals) sounds interesting...