Breeding birds: 1,000-2,000 pairs
Family: Woodpeckers
Male lesser spotted woodpeckers have black upperparts with white bars on the lower back. Their broad, rounded wings are black with conspicuous white bars and the tail is black with white bars on the outer feathers. The underparts are white with fine black streaks on the belly and flanks.
The head is black with a buff-tinged white forehead and lores, a bright red crown, a black supercilium, and a black malar stripe that extends down to the breast. The nape is black and white and the throat is off white. They have
The dagger shaped bill is dark grey, the eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet are grey. Two toes face forwards and two face backwards which helps them grip the sides of trees.
Female lesser spotted woodpeckers are similar to males except the crown is white.
Juveniles resemble adults but with browner, more streaked underparts and both sexes have crimson crowns.
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Lesser spotted woodpeckers begin breeding in late April and generally produce just one clutch a year. They nest in excavated holes in trees which are lined with wood dust and chips. Males do most of the excavation. The nests are located up high usually 10-20 metres from the ground in a deciduous tree.
Lesser spotted woodpeckers lay 5-8 glossy, white eggs which are incubated by both male and female for 11-12 days. Chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 18-30 days after hatching.
Lesser spotted woodpeckers eat mainly invertebrates such as beetles, ants, flies, aphids, spiders, and moths. They use their long tongue to extract their prey from crevices. In the autumn they will supplement their diet with nuts, berries, and soft fruit.
Lesser spotted woodpeckers can be spotted in woods, parklands, gardens, and orchards. They are found mainly in south-east England and occasionally northern England and Wales.
The best time of year to look out for them is in the spring when they are most active. They will visit gardens in search of suet and sunflower hearts.
Lesser spotted woodpeckers mark their territory by drumming. Each drum roll is about twice the length of that of the great spotted woodpecker and it is higher pitched.
