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Birds
Hoffmann's woodpecker
Hoffmann's woodpecker · Melanerpes hoffmannii
Hoffmann's woodpecker brings life to open woodland and gardens. Red, stripes and drumming give it away on the tree – keep your ears and eyes open.
Fact file
- Size
- Compact woodpecker about 21 cm long with a sturdy build
- Males and females
- Only the male has a red patch on the back of the head
- Sounds
- Rhythmic drumming plus bright, lively calls
- Diet
- Eats insects, larvae, fruit and tree sap
- Offspring
- Usually breeds between March and June, 3 to 5 eggs per clutch
How to identify Hoffmann's woodpecker
You can recognise Hoffmann's woodpeckers by their strikingly contrasting plumage: the head and neck are yellowish white, while the back and wings are marked with distinctive black and white cross-stripes. The underside is a light, almost cream-coloured tone.
Male Hoffmann's woodpeckers have a bright red cap on the back of the head, while females show no red patch. At around 21 centimetres in length and with a compact silhouette, they look powerfully built overall. Their stiff, pointed bill is particularly noticeable when they are searching for food on trees.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
Where Hoffmann's woodpecker live
Discover Hoffmann's woodpecker on your trip.
The app shows you where and when to see wildlife along your route.
