Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates minor)

Quick Facts

Scientific Name: Dryobates minor (formerly Dendrocopos minor)
Family: Picidae
Size: 14 -15 cm (4.5 – 5.5 inches)
Wingspan: 24-29 cm (9.5-11.5 inches)
Weight: 17-25 g (0.6-0.9 oz)

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Least Concern (globally), but Red List species in the UK
Population Trend: Declining significantly in the UK

Worldwide Distribution

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is found primarily in:

Most of Europe (except far north and parts of Mediterranean coast)
United Kingdom (patchy distribution, mainly England and Wales)
Asia Minor and parts of northern Asia
Largely resident, with limited seasonal movements

Spotting Difficulty Rating

🔍🔍 (2/5 – Moderate)

More visible in early spring before leaf cover
Can be conspicuous during drumming and calling periods
Typically stays high in tree canopies
Population in significant decline
Most visible when foraging on bare branches

Habitat and Behavior

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is a tiny, sparrow-sized woodpecker with distinctive black and white barred back and wings. Males can be identified by their small red crown patch, while females have an all-black crown. Despite their striking pattern, they can be remarkably difficult to spot as they forage high in the canopy of deciduous woodland.

Unlike their larger relatives, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers feed primarily on small wood-boring insects, aphids, and larvae found in the smaller branches and twigs in the upper canopy. Their diminutive size allows them to access food sources unavailable to the larger woodpecker species. They have a distinctive, weak drumming sound compared to other woodpeckers – faster but much quieter, often described as similar to a distant machine gun.

During breeding season (April-June), they become more conspicuous as males establish territories through drumming and their distinctive ‘kee-kee-kee’ call. They excavate a new nest hole each year in dead or decaying wood, typically 2-5 meters above ground.

Cultural History

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker has featured in folklore across Europe, though less prominently than its larger relatives due to its secretive nature. In parts of rural England, woodpeckers were collectively known as “rain birds” or “storm cocks,” as their increased calling was believed to herald approaching rain.

In Welsh folklore, the persistent drumming of woodpeckers was sometimes interpreted as the heartbeat of the forest, with Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers representing the gentle, subtle rhythms of woodland life. Their presence was considered a sign of a healthy, aging forest with the dead wood necessary for their survival.

An old superstition in parts of Northern Europe suggested that hearing a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming near your home in early spring would bring good fortune and productivity for the coming year. Conversely, the sudden disappearance of woodpeckers from an area was viewed as an ill omen, potentially foretelling forest decline or environmental change.

In some European folk medicine traditions, it was believed that carrying a woodpecker feather could cure toothaches and dental problems – likely connected to the bird’s own ability to work with its beak on hard surfaces without apparent discomfort.

Fun Facts

🥁 Their drumming is about twice as fast as the Great Spotted Woodpecker but much quieter
👑 Also known as the “Lesser Pecker” or “Barred Woodpecker” in some regions
🦉 Often associates with mixed feeding flocks in winter, especially with tits and nuthatches
🏠 Despite their tiny size, they can excavate a new nest hole in just 7-14 days

Best Places to Spot a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the UK

Hatfield Forest, Essex
New Forest, Hampshire
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire
RSPB Nagshead, Gloucestershire

Recommended Viewing Tips

Early spring (February-April) offers the best chance when they are most vocal
Listen for their rapid drumming and ‘kee-kee-kee’ call
Focus on the upper canopy of mature deciduous woodland
Look in areas with abundant dead wood and old trees
Use binoculars to scan the outer branches of oak, hornbeam, or alder
Dawn and early morning provide optimal viewing opportunities

Conservation Notes

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker faces several challenges:

Loss of mature deciduous woodland with dead and dying timber
Fragmentation of suitable woodland habitat
Removal of dead wood and “tidying” of forests
Potentially affected by climate change altering insect availability
Competition with Great Spotted Woodpeckers, which have increased as Lesser Spotted have declined

Conservation efforts focus on:

Preserving older deciduous woodland with standing dead trees
Maintaining connectivity between suitable habitat patches
Reducing woodland management in key areas to allow natural aging
Further research into causes of decline

Remember: Always observe wildlife responsibly and respect their natural habitats