Muleskinner Book Recommendation # 28

Woodpeckers of Europe. A Study of the European Picidae.

by Gerard Gorman (Drawings; Szabolcz Kókay)

(p. 2004; 192 p.)

[Recommendation II / 2011]

Not meant included as part on our environmentalist/conservationist book recommendations, although this unproblematically would belong for those. Mainly selected as it's a practical bird watchers companion book and more especially because the book discussing woodpeckers. So this draws somewhat clearer picture of the aspects left little incomplete on our earlier writings from this (topic). (One could of course choose from a number of books about animals, of scientific texts and from some written on a more relaxed level – Many would have been sound and good, probably suitable for presented on this. But I think this book very well combines some thorough study accompanied with practical knowledge from it's subject). 

 

Main groups from  European woodpeckers;

(Drawing of the book.)

Like noticeable from title, the book is about woodpeckers with presence on European continental area. Perhaps little surprisingly there's only 10 separate species - 9, if the Wryneck, Jynx torquilla, wouldn't be counted for the 'true woodpeckers'. 11, or maybe few more, if some distinct races of the Green Woodpecker, Picus viridis (mainly meaning the Iberian woodpecker, P. v. sharpei) are more lately reclassified as separate species of their own (after the DNA-researches or similar study.) All except the Wryneck belong to sub-family Picinae, which further can be separated for the woodpecker sub-groups/tribes from Picus, Dendrocopos, Dryocopus and Picoides. Two latter mentioned group consist from only a single species, the Black woodpecker, Dryocopus martius, and Three-toed woodpecker, Picoides tridactylus. The Dendrocopos (group) contains largest number species, including the Syrian woodpecker, Dendrocopos syriacus. The Picus genus consist from the Grey-Headed, P. Canus and Green Woodpecker(s).

In the good tradition of ornithologist/birdist literatures text by Gorman is accompanied with drawings from a Hungarian artist (Kokay). Frankly said, it's generally a very useful book to carry along by anyone who walks at the woods and generally if wish to learn more of the woodpecker ecology. Also has lots practical information, even for some specialized hobbyist. (Or, to someone like me, merely an occasional observer of the woodpeckers). One might little miss photographs in case of the individual species presented, but on the other hand there's amounts that stuff readily available on web. The book also has fx overall range maps from each of the species (presenting their overall Euraasian range).

Colour illustrations are particularly useful in the book, fx concerning the Dendrocopos-species from which some resemble each other quite much. Confusion, or the difficulty of separating one from another becomes apparent mainly when comparing the (roughly) similar-sized species; ie on differentiation between the Syrian and Great Spotted, perhaps also concerns the White-backed and Great spotted.

...Also within the variety of interesting topics presented in the book there's fx explained some differences of the anting strategies by woodpeckers, most commonly the behaviour observed from Grey-headed, Picus canus and the Green woodpecker. - Divided for 'passive' and 'active' anting (behaviour), the anting means '...stereotyped set of movement when a bird either picks up ants and sweeps them through it's feathers or wallows in swarming ants' ; the exact function of anting is said still uncertain, but the offered explanations contain, ao, the parasite removal, feather maintenance and feeding behavior. And, there's of course amounts of other facts and knowledge, ranging from variations or differences on the nest excavation method of the individual species, breeding, differences on plumage between the sexes and the adults/juvenile birds, etc. Also contains fx typical flight- and drumming (Oscillographs) patterns from each of the species. And species overall range maps on European continent.

Woodpeckers are characteristic birds of the woodlands. Even that some are more usually found foraging on open area, only the Syrian woodpecker - a species having spread for it's European ranges during 20^th century - appears described merely as a bird adapted to various lightly wooded human-made habitats. On it's Mediterranean range the species is fx said typically found visiting the orchards, gardens, parks, etc. But all other European species mainly inhabit the forest proper, even though almost any of them occasionally are found on so called secondary habitats. Woodpeckers are also quite specialized birds, from which (at least partly) results that different species surprisingly well tolerate other woodpeckers on same areas. Due that several species can be present and use the resources of a suitable region. However from the individuals of the same species birds normally defend their territorial ranges strictly.

As our most concern is on the status and population trend of these birds, remaining words are about that, and especially of the situation for White-backed woodpecker(Dendrocopos leucotos).

In contrary to information presented at our former writings about woodpeckers (on this blog, sequel 11 on the Endangered species-serie), according the Gorman's book White-backed woodpecker listing as officially secure (on Europes, ca 2000s) is actually rather surprising. Instead it seems said probably have declined on many parts of the continent during second half of the 2oth century (but most strikingly on Fennoscandia). As well according the book, White-backed woodpecker used to be much more widely distributed earlier and appeared on larger parts of Europe (at least until the middle-ages, perhaps later). The least adaptive of European woodpeckers, fx the removal of the dying and decaying tree from forests, replacing deciduous forests with conifers are some recent known factors connected in the decline;

“White-backed woodpecker has been unable to adapt to the changes that have occurred in the forested landscapes of Europe over the last 100 years. Indeed most of the countries where White-backed has declined have, since the Second World War, seen an increase in actual forest cover. This may initially seem rather strange, as after all woodpeckers need trees, but when one understands what kind of forests now cover western Europe things become clearer. Rather than habitat loss its the habitat change that has affected Europe's White-backed woodpeckers. Most Finnish forests, for example, are devoid of the species, although it was once common and widespread in the south of the country.” (From p. 143)

One might then wonder fx what the actual extent on this falls for other simultaneous development – fx, the decline on the undisturbed lakeside environments (ecologically favorable areas, that contain typically lot deciduous tree and rotten wood, and as well rich from the available insects), or the birds loosing on competition for more adaptive Great Spotted woodpecker (D.major), or the varying seasonal changes (mainly the effects of several subsequent seasons of harsh and severe winter conditions). But, like has been studied and researched, main factors on the birds overall decline are traceable for human caused alteration of living habitat, and as well for introduction of mechanical forestry practices  since mid past century.

In terms of evolution White-backed is said to class among some from oldest Dendrocopos- species, which also is assumed explain it having such narrow and specialized habitat requirements. Places occupied by the bird on Europe are invariably suitable for several other woodpecker species, but not vice-versa. (p. 135) The vulnerability of the White-backed woodpecker appears somewhat more than several other woodpeckers rooted for it's specialization of the diet, most of that consisting from larvae of Cerambycidae (ie the Long-horn beetle spec.), which the woodpeckers dig from decaying wood matter, also from standing heart-rotten dead wood trunks. Most other from the (European) woodpeckers also feed on wood-boring beetles larvae in part of their usual diet, with varying degree. Often the diet includes also fx various insects (ants most commonly), other preferred invertebrates, the cone seeds, berries, to mention some from usual favorites. However, from none other appears the diet as much specialized than on White-backed. 
 

Oberonea Aculata.(Uncommon, not rare Cerambycidae spec.)

...This also kind of reminds me of some study which noticed about 50 to 60 per cent of it's diet (or from the food brought for the nestlings) to consist from Long horn beetles larvae. Perhaps most part of those are some more common species - like the Bark runner (Rhagium spec., whose couple genera might represent the most usual of the Fennoscandian Cerambycidae). But, (to get the complete picture), Gorman seems mention some Finnish-Russian comparative study that recognized  about well over dozen threatened Cerambycidae-species, or other wood-boring Coleoptera (ie Beetles), occurring on diet of the White-backed. Most of these are species that mainly increase and live as larvae  in the decaying wood of the deciduous trees (like, most typically from the North European part, the Aspen).

As to return for the bird, Gorman seems also say that during varying different seasonal conditions or in lack of it's main food sources, also White-backed woodpeckers may  rely slightly more variety on the diet. (As well is said that this quite much differs between birds from different countries/ecologic areas, like logical.). Yet the species is also said almost completely insectivorous. As White-backed also needs large foraging territories (Significantly larger than most European woodpeckers) it becomes quite understandable why the favored areas represent mainly some strongholds of the old-growth deciduous forests (whatever the tree species prevailing on separate areas on continent, but on such places the bird mostly still flourishes). Main preferred habitats are places where forest management is minimal, or such where the terrain remains left almost for it's natural state. Gorman fx mentions it being still rather common on it's ranges at Norway on regions where forest management happens be difficult due the steep terrain, where the high rainfall rates and moisture levels make the environment favorable with high density of the dead wood, and resultively, there's abundance from available insects. (p. 135).

Some populations that exist on Southern Europe also suffer from isolation and fragmented habitat, although it's said that in general the bird still has strong distribution eastward from it's European ranges (On Fennoscandias the situation is somewhat comparable, or at least populations perhaps are partly dependable from the occasional migrants from East). But, anyhow book also mentions largest part from (remaining) species European populations to exist on the remote parts of the East European countries where intensified forestry practices hasn't been that widely applied. In overall the bird appears with rather patched distribution, largely due the current scarcity from suitable very old deciduous forests on Europes.

Like usually the case, human alteration often changes natural relations of the different species. From the species (woodpeckers) that apparently were on general increase, the book mentions the Great spotted, Syrian, and the Black Woodpecker, all those probably having benefited (by some part) from the human brought changes – General increase of the latter mentioned is also said have gone in parallel with the introduction of more environmental friendly forestry practices during the second part of 20^th century (following that having originated on Germany and later subsequently taken on uses elsewhere, too). Seems logical, although the other reason presented appears found from an increase of the (planted) coniferous forest (ie the afforestation development during past centurys), which may have favored the Black woodpeckers range expansion on the western European part, as well as prompted it's population rebound. It inhabits both the coniferous and mixed forests. Anyway, species actually is mentioned having increased and expanded from range at most countries, except on Finland. 
 

From Finland it's perhaps also interesting Black woodpecker been said - I kind of remember mentioned on some instance - by some recent decades time having started nesting increasingly nearer the urban areas or closer edges of the human settlements. (A behavioral change which maybe can be explained from need of the suitable larger trees where to excavate nesting holes, but perhaps as well from the anti-predatorial behaviour, mainly as the avoidance of Pine marten.) Peculiarly, if the bird was getting scarcer, in the same period it might also have become more visible or more often seen. On the other hand it's easily recognizable bird, and when encountered rarely passes unnoticed. On Finland, as elsewhere too, the Black woodpecker is present on quite large ranges, perhaps appearing more frequent at southern parts of country. (Seems always been somewhat culturally appreciated bird, but yet also with maybe little ambivalent feeling, for in the old Finnish folk tradition Black Woodpecker pecking at the back of the building was considered a bad omen.)

As the largest species from European Picidae Black Woodpeckers on some singular area probably appear not very frequent, but like said it's also noticed a bird well tolerating various kinds forests environment, actually Gorman defines it as a more habitat generalist than most other woodpeckers. ...And it's also the sole European bird that can excavate cavities in the sound wood of living trees (though living trees with heart-rot are invariably selected). A number of other birds use woodpecker holes for the nesting, Fx, Tengmalms owls are said almost dependent on holes dug by the Black woodpeckers in the managed forests where natural cavities are lacking, as also mentioned in the book (p. 90,92).

...The bird also has very strong bill and on some places it's been observed on winters to open frozen food-sources for other birds to use. (The book mentions a singular example where the Grey-headed was observed during winter conditions foraging soon after on the same trunk containing ants nest which was first been uncovered from under snow by Black woodpecker).

...And, Black woodpeckers also are said known from readily to forage on young spruce plantations that often provide stumps of felled trees containing amounts of wood ants. This seems also maybe telling from it's great adaptability to use new food-sources (p. 86), on changed environment. But frankly, by many ways it's considered ecologically rather important bird.

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Even if some of the woodpeckers (maybe) appear relative well to tolerate typical human forests use, several species are noticed more or less having declined (at least on the previous decades time/as an overall trend). Scarcity from middle-aged oak woods is said been the main factor on decline of the Middle-spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos medius. It becoming locally extinct on Sweden around 1980s is one aspect (and earlier on Denmark), but Gorman also mentions the Slovakian and Italian populations being rather fragmented and in overall the European populations to suffer lack from the suitable aged oak wood habitat. The Lesser Spotted, Dendrocopos minor, and Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides tridactylus, as well, seem said been on slightly declining trend, and largely from the resembling reasons (as what presented about White-backed woodpecker), although their status and exact reasons yet were maybe less comprihensively studied at the time of books appearance. But the former (D.minor) seems appear with rather fragmented distribution across Europe, resulting from disappearance of deciduous forests. From latter mentioned (P.tridactylus) largest population appear emphasized for suitable spruce forests on North Europe (about 30 per cent of that appear on N. Finland, seems said). As well meaningful from the disadvantages for woodpeckers, more particularly concerning the Green woodpecker, is noticed the decline on availability of ants, at least on some studied areas. (Although the bird seems said having declined on some areas while increasing on the others, and with rather varying degree. So it's overall status was also somewhat less clearly known.)

All in all, it's possible to get a good basic understanding from ecology of the woodpeckers from this book presented. On basis of these few observations it seems fx that them appear actually very adaptable species (even the White-backed), which sometimes relative well thrive even on with quite much human brought habitat alteration. According to our own afterthoughts from this seems it that those impacts (human use of the woodlands mainly), in form of  the caused disturbation of the natural ecology; changes of, or the resulted degradation brought for the original forest habitats (whatever the view preferred) and – to sometimes surprising degree – the actual destruction of those habitats (like any larger forest cuts, fx), might have lead the most vulnerable species becoming affected. With some more ecologically sound forestry methods introduced in during few past decades, the general view perhaps might show quite different after while, maybe already is. Europe also is some from most densely populated areas in the world, but on the other hand there still is quite much nature and environments left.

But, in fact, many things observed on this (of the woodpecker ecology, but as well concerns the other wildlife) originate from since longer in the past. From a woodpecker point-of-view, certainly some of the most disastrous practices of 20^th century were the human introduced widespread planting of the forests (of conifers mainly, replacing the former habitat) and resulted increase of an even aged woodlands, which represent the most typical forms of modern alteration caused on forest ecology. But, fx the disappearance of the deciduous forest(s) actually has origins well for the 19^th century at least (by some part, if not on comparable on scales, probably).

It's not perhaps reasonable expect that very much of those lost natural habitats would be returned for former state, or for their “former glory” (Would in fact appear unforeseen development in the human history, if thinking that as any 'oppositional development' from typical human forests and lands use and practices. And, if thinking that to mean any significantly larger tracts from the environments). But at least some ecological recovery one could maybe notice happening. Of course it's also a matter of economics, but since the Europe is a continent where the economic and societal progress is well advanced (Not said as any  comparison with other continents), and  the economic losses limited when compared to the caused past (and long-term) ecological harms, the described  restoration of the environments seems still possible, not any imaginary scenario. So one could also say for the end that hopefully the economics shall matter less on the coming share of the material wealth (between man and his surrounding, ie the natural environments).

(...From the woodpeckers comes also to mind that, while I've only been able observe a few, they're indeed species that sometimes give the impression of almost maintaining some kind of the sixth sense. Often when I've thought been watching them form distance, the birds behaviorally or otherways give the impression from surprising awareness of observer. That of course can explain with various ways, but I've then come think that probably they're birds with particularly strict hearing sense. Although, I've mostly observed just the Great spotted which the book mentions not only perhaps most adaptive species, but also from being the most evolutionary 'advanced' of (European) woodpeckers.) Kjik.

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(Some) additional reading:

Winkler, H. (et al.), 1994, Woodpeckers: A guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets and Wrynecks of the world.

- This seems like some identification guide from all kinds of woodpeckers of the world.

Sielman, H. 1961, My Year with the Woodpeckers.

- According my memory this was quite interesting book from the same subject. (Actually I also considered it as the book on this recommendation, but couldn't find a copy and it's some time since I had read that...Gorman's book is of course lot newer and contains far more information from any singular species.)

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