Black woodpecker / Schwarzspecht (Dryocopus martius)

Schwarzspecht in Wildert Naturschutzgebiet. 2024-12-18 14:30:58 Wildert

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-10-21 in Oberreitenbachholzweg, Rumlikon. Most recent observation: 2026-05-24 in Fanel/Chablais de Cudrefin und La Sauge.

Description

Classification: Genus Dryocopus (Dryocopus); Family Woodpeckers (Picidae)
General: Seen and later seen, but never photgraphed well.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahresvogel
Appearance and identification: The black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) is a large woodpecker that lives in mature forests across the northern Palearctic. It is the sole representative of its genus in that region. Its range is expanding. It does not migrate. [Link]
Habitat: The black woodpecker is mainly found in forested regions, with a preference for extensive, mature woodland, including coniferous, tropical, subtropical and boreal forests. It is very widespread throughout mountainous and lowland forests. It is more likely to occur in marginal woods near human habitations during the non-breeding season. [Link]
Vocalization: Most sounds diagnostic and very far reaching. Drumming very powerful and long (1.8 - 3 sec.) with slightly falling intensity and accelerated ending. Each beat clearly distinguishable as in Tree-toed Woodpecker, but duration much longer. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-01 - 07-20
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=45-57 cm, wingspan=64-68 cm, weight=290-370 g
Habitats: Forest

Vocalisation

Song: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording.
Song: Beide Geschlechter ähnlich Grünspecht aber klangvoller. „klückklückklück“ 10-20 Laute. Die „klück“ werden etwas von unten heraufgeholt, vor allem gegen den Schluss zu. Häufiger hört man „kliüüh“ von am Stamme sitzenden Vogel. Bei Platzwechsel ruft er „krükrükrü“. [Link]
Song a quick series of "klee" calls resembling Green Woodpecker, but with a purer tone and upward infliction at end of each syllable. [Link] Song attributes: Frequency:
XC554337 Black woodpecker song. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC554337 Black woodpecker song.mp3 (song)

Calls: Drumming:

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See sound file

Flight call a characteristic resonant trill "krrreekrrreekrrreekrrree". A characteristic short, sharp and plaintive "keeaaa" with descending pitch often uttered when excited. A few slower drawn-out introductory calls before the phrase gets going is diagnostic. [Link] 1: General: A loud unearthly call on a single unwavering note.
Blood curdling call

Blood curdling call Source as noted in xeno-canto: Recordist Bodo Sonnenburg 2021-10-11 07:26 Latitude 52.2333 Longitude 13.8365 Location Oder-Spree (near Storkow (Mark)), Brandenburg Country Germany Elevation 40 m
♫

2: Describe drumming here, cf to other peckers!
XC553023 Black woodpecker drumming.

XC553023 Black woodpecker drumming. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC553023 Black woodpecker drumming.mp3 (drumming)

3: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording.
XC549818 Black woodpecker flight call.

XC549818 Black woodpecker flight call. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC549818 Black woodpecker flight call.mp3 (flight call)

Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: 1-8 KHz,