🦉 The lesser spotted woodpecker (Picoides minor , synonym of Dryobates minor)
📚 Dryobates (Greek) : druos - forest, woodland, batēs - walker, stroller
📚 minor (Latin) - smaller
This species of woodpecker is rare for me. Most of our meetings take place from the beginning of late summer or autumn.
They are easy to hear from afar, because they have a peculiar voice, which is very different from the voices of large woodpeckers. I would even say that the voice is slightly similar to the voice of birds of prey, but only more squeaky and short.
As expected, the males have a red cap on their heads, while the females do not. The photo below is just a female.
And in the bottom photo, the female fed the fledgling. This child sat on a bush and silently waited for the parent with food.
I haven't the pleasure to meet this woodpecker, but hubby said he spotted one in the park, so I will keep on looking.
Terrific shots. 🙂
Thank you!