Appearance:

Very small, almost sparrow-sized, woodpecker. Most likely to be confused with Great Spotted Woodpecker, but vent never red (always in Great Spotted). Back heavily barred, and underparts streaked. No large patches of white on upperparts. Male with red crown, female purely black and white. Bill small and slender. More likely to be seen foraging in branches than most other woodpeckers. Fluttering flight.

Sound:

Frequently drums in quite long series. Much longer than Great Spotted, and without ritardando. Most common call a series of merlin-like "ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke" given at fairly stable pitch, and less hoarse than Merlin. Differs from Wryneck in lacking marked rise and fall in pitch, and being less plaintive.

Drumming, song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-photo:Stefan Berndtsson, Licence,Link, CC-photo:Maggi_94, Licence,Link,

CC-photo:phenolog, Licence,Link,

Appearance:

Pretty unmistakable. Dark brown to grey plumage, with conspicuous rusty patches on wings and tail. Noticeably smaller and slimmer than Jay. Seems all brown when perched, but rusty wings and tail immediately apparent when flying. Flight undulated and several birds are usually following eachother. A social, and very little shy bird.

Sound:

Rich repertoire but not very vocal. Song a subdued chirping stream of squeaky notes and mimicry. Alarm call a loud, mewing, buzzard-like "eeeeaaah".

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Terje Kolaas, Licence,Link.