Great Spotted Woodpecker

At the top, the head of a female Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) is shown from the side, facing left, at three stages of development to illustrate the changes in coloration of the head. Below, the same process is repeated for the male of the species.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker  is a bird in the family Picidae, referred to in the caption by its older synonym, Picus major. It is a widespread woodpecker, common in parks and woodland, and also often seen in gardens. It feeds on insects, small rodents and young birds, and even on seed and fruit.