Daidaitengu

The daidaitengu, also known as the great spotted woodpecker in English, is a common and widespread bird species found across Europe and Asia. It belongs to the family Picidae, which includes all woodpeckers. This bird is characterized by its distinctive black and white plumage, with males and females exhibiting slight differences. Both sexes have a black head with white stripes, a white underside, and black wings and back marked with white spots or bars. A key identifying feature, particularly in males, is a patch of bright red or crimson on the back of the head.

Daidaitengu are typically found in deciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, and parks, where they forage for insects, larvae, and sometimes nuts and berries. Their strong beaks are adapted for drilling into wood to find food and create nest cavities. These birds are monogamous and often form strong pair bonds. The nest is usually a cavity excavated in a tree, with both parents participating in incubation and feeding the young. The daidaitengu plays an important role in forest ecosystems by controlling insect populations and by creating habitat for other species through their abandoned nest holes. Their drumming on trees, a characteristic sound, serves as a territorial signal and a way to communicate with potential mates.