What does a woodpecker sound like?
A woodpecker sounds like a fast drumroll on wood, but most species also have a voice: a sharp 'kik' in the great spotted woodpecker, a loud ringing cry in the black woodpecker and a laughing call in the green woodpecker.
Summer Forest Bird Sounds for Sleeping • Black Screen • 12H
Drumming is not feeding. It is a signal, like song in other birds: the woodpecker hits a dry, resonant branch very fast to mark its territory, mostly in late winter and spring. Feeding taps are slower and irregular.
Three species are easy to learn. The great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) gives a short, sharp 'kik' and a short, very fast drumroll. The black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), the largest in Europe, has a loud 'krri-krri-krri' in flight, a long plaintive call when perched and a long, powerful drumroll. The green woodpecker (Picus viridis) rarely drums; you know it by its loud, laughing 'kleu-kleu-kleu'.
Our recordings have these species marked in their chapters. The timestamps below jump straight to each one.
Where to hear it in our recordings
- 24:54 — black woodpecker, summer forest (black screen)
- 37:16 — great spotted woodpecker, flooded forest backwater
- 52:57 — great spotted woodpecker, meadow by the forest
- 1:36:40 — green woodpecker, flooded forest backwater
- 1:41:36 — green woodpecker, meadow by the forest
Quick questions
Why do woodpeckers drum?
To mark territory and attract a mate. It is their version of song.
Which woodpecker laughs?
The green woodpecker. Its loud, laughing call is often the first sign it is there.
