The Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) male's upper plumage is glossy black – only the male has the patch of scarlet on the back of the neck. It occurs throughout Europe and northern Asia. It is mostly resident except in the colder regions of its range. Young birds can be easily recognised by their scarlet caps. They lose this as soon as they moult into adult plumage. The great is the most numerous and widely distributed woodpecker in Europe, and can be found from southern Spain to northern Scandinavia. However, just two species of spotted woodpeckers can be found in the British Isles: the great (not greater) and lesser. On the Continent three similar species can also be found: middle spotted, white-backed and Syrian.
