Bird of the month 03/2005 Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus) 22-23 cm. A typical medium-sized woodpecker with black back, two big, white scapular patches, pale underparts and pinkish undertail coverts. It's very similar to Great Spotted Woodpecker, but it has pinkish undertail coverts, the black line lacks on ear coverts, and outer two tail feathers are not so white, like on the great spotted: there are only few, small white mirrors on Syrian. Male has red nape, which is black on female. It's voice is also different: it is softer, less sharp than Great Spotted's. The first record of this species was in 1937, but now the Syrian Woodpecker is a common breeder in Hungary, especially in cities, villages, but it can be seen in elder orchards, parks also. Habitat Woods in urban areas, resident in Hungary | 
© Photo by Szabolcs Kókay |