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Hallpea-rähn

 

 

 

We often meet the grey-headed woodpecker in city parks. The plumage of the bird can mislead the observer to think that we have to do with a green woodpecker but the latter are rather a rarity – they can be seen in broadleaf forests in Saaremaa near cultural landscapes and with good luck in South Estonia, but on the mainland they have nearly all disappeared.

 

The grey-headed woodpecker can be seen the year round in sparsely wooded natural mixed forests; their number is just above 5000. In our winter bird feeding grounds they rarely show up. They are about a ”head” larger than the great spotted woodpecker; with a length of 30 centimetres goes a weight of up to 150 grams. Back plumage moss green with a yellowish tinge, head, neck, breast and belly plumage water-grey. A black eye mask and red eye irises, the narrow cheek beard streak is black. The plumage of young birds is a little lighter. Only the male has a red patch on the forehead. Beak dark grey and legs yellowish grey. See also Arne’s photos at the end.

 

Grey-headed woodpeckers are extremely attentive and wary birds. They often play hide-and-seek with the observer – if a grey-headed woodpecker has noticed you the bird often hides behind the trunk and goes on with its business there. You try to move quietly, the same procedure is repeated. A quite difficult subject for photographers.

 

Read more about green woodpeckers: LINK

 

Grey-headed woodpecker observations: LINK

 

As comparison, green woodpecker observations: LINK

 

Grey-headed woodpecker

 

Grey-headed woodpecker