Lesser spotted woodpecker / Kleinspecht (Dryobates minor)

Kleinspecht am Baum wo wir mehrere Specht gesehen habe. 2024-05-31 07:58:53 Frauenfeld Allmend

Observations

First documented observation: 2021-01-16 at the Luppmen. Most recent observation: 2025-08-19 in Switzerland.

Description

Classification: Genus Dryobates (Dryobates); Family Woodpeckers (Picidae)
General: Bisher gesehen aber nicht gehört!
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahresvogel, Wintergast RL V
Appearance and identification: The smallest European woodpecker. ... From its small size and its habit of spending most of its time in the tops of tall trees in woods and parks, this little woodpecker is often overlooked, but if sighted on a trunk it may at once be identified by the broad barring on the wings and narrower bars across the lower back. [Link]
Der Kleinspecht ist der Zwerg unter den europäischen Spechten. Er macht sich im Frühjahr mit hohen Rufreihen und gleichmässigen Trommelwirbeln bemerkbar. [Link]
Habitat: As above: spend(s) most of its time in the tops of tall trees [Link]
Vocalization: Frequently drums in quite long series. Much longer than Great Spotted, and without ritardando. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-20 - 06-20
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=14-15 cm, wingspan=25-27 cm, weight=17-25 g
Habitats: Forest

Vocalisation

Song: Drumming in lieu of song. Fast, constant.
Song attributes: Melody: simple rhythmic, fast, Frequency: 0-4 KHz Special sounds: drumming
XC552636 Kleinspecht drumming. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC552636 Kleinspecht drumming.mp3 (drumming)


Calls: 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. [Link] 1: Vogelwarte wie oben..hohe Rufreihen
XC625101 Kleinspecht call.

XC625101 Kleinspecht call. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC625101 Kleinspecht call.mp3 (call)


2: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording.

Call attributes: Call melody: simple rhythmic, fast, Frequency: high (3-9 KHz),