Black Woodpecker

• GeneralThe largest woodpecker in Europe; the roomy holes it cuts in trunks are later taken over by owls and squirrels.
• Its holes are the largest excavated by any bird in Europe, which is why it is considered an ecosystem engineer: Tengmalm's owl, the stock dove, the greater noctule, the pine marten and numerous saproxylic beetles and fungi depend on them.
• It has expanded its range in the European Mediterranean over recent decades, and studies in Catalonia show that the decisive factor was connectivity between mature woods with trees over 35 cm in diameter.
• It excavates a new hole almost every year, creating habitat for other species.

Skeleton type

Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)

Habitat and environment

Mature conifer and beech forest

Sexual maturity

12 months

Sources consulted: IUCN Red List; Wikipedia (Dryocopus martius); SEO/BirdLife; estudio sobre conectividad forestal en Cataluña (atlas 1980-2000 e inventarios forestales); Garmendia et al. 2006, Biodiversity and Conservation 15; Cárcamo 2006, Pirineos 161; Boie 1826; Linnaeus 1758

Best time: All year round in mature mountain beech and pine woods