IDENTITY RECORD

Black woodpecker

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Dryocopus martius

Description

I am the largest member of the woodpecker family. I am about 55 cm tall and my wingspan can range from 64 to 68 cm. I weigh between 300 and 350 grams. The plumage on my body is all black and you can recognize me easily by my red crown.

Behavior

Diet

I feed on xylophagus flies and ants.

Reproduction

I lay between three and five eggs, in April.

Lifespan

I can live for up to 11 years.

Where and when can you find me in the reserve?

Habitat

I live in the forest where I find trees, preferably with a large diameter, to build my nest hole.

When to spot me

I am diurnal so you can see me in the day. I am also sedentary. You can hear my call in the forest all year round. According to folklore it is a sign of imminent rainfall.

Conservation status

• Red list of nesting birds in metropolitan France: Least Concern (LC);
• Red list of endangered nesting birds in Alsace: Least Concern (LC);
• Protected in France.
• Species of community interest as included in Appendix I of the European Birds Directive.