Latin Etymology: Dryobates ("woodland walker") minor ("small")
Adult female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (subspecies D. m. comminutus) Geddington Chase - December 2010
Featured Subspecies: Dryobates Minor comminutus
Weight: 18-21g / Length: 15cm / Wingspan: 26cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
The lesser spotted woodpecker has a bit of a reputation for being difficult to see, despite it's wide distribution. It is much smaller than the greater spotted being on about the same scale as a sparrow, it's main distinguishing feature other than the size being the black and white barred back. It is best seen in the winter and spring by most accounts, on the basis that it is easier to see in the top of the trees when there are no leaves present. I must admit, I have no idea what is going on with it's taxonomy at the minute - while researching this page I came across three separate genus it was alternately placed in, so I've listed them all for the sake of then one at least will be correct.
Related Species:
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Dryobates
Subspecies: D. m. comminutus, D. m. hortorum, D. m. buturlini, D. m. minor, D. m. amurensis, D. m. kamtschatkensis, D. m. colchicus, D. m. danfordi, D. m. quadrifasciatus, D. m. morgani, D. m. ledouci
- Sighting Locations -
Subspecies: D. m. comminutus, D. m. hortorum, D. m. buturlini, D. m. minor, D. m. amurensis, D. m. kamtschatkensis, D. m. colchicus, D. m. danfordi, D. m. quadrifasciatus, D. m. morgani, D. m. ledouci
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and secretive resident (1000-2000 pairs)
- A single bird seen on Geddington Chase in December 2010 and again in April 2017. 