About Picoides tridactylus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The Eurasian three-toed woodpecker, scientifically named Picoides tridactylus (Linnaeus, 1758), measures 21–22 cm (8.3–8.7 in) in length, which is only slightly smaller than the great spotted woodpecker. Adult individuals have black and white plumage, with the exception of a yellow crown on males. No red feathers are present in either sex. This woodpecker has black wings and rump, with white coloration from the throat through the belly; its flanks are white with black barring. The back is white with black bars, and the tail is black, with white outer feathers that are barred with black. Juveniles of both sexes have a yellow crown. The voice call of the Eurasian three-toed woodpecker is a kik or chik. Its breeding habitat is coniferous forests across the Palearctic, extending from Norway to Korea. Isolated populations also exist in the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains. Eurasian three-toed woodpeckers nest in cavities carved into dead conifers, and occasionally into live trees or poles. A breeding pair excavates a new nest each year. This species is generally a permanent resident, but populations in northern regions may move south in winter, and populations at high elevations may move to lower elevations during the winter. These woodpeckers forage on conifers, searching for wood-boring beetle larvae and other insects. They may also feed on fruit and tree sap. They often move into areas with large numbers of trees infested by insects, frequently following a forest fire or flooding event.
