Birds
Syrian Woodpecker
Dryobates syriacus · also called Syrian woodpeckers
Settling comfortably into an orchard where its close relative the great spotted woodpecker might hesitate, a Syrian woodpecker looks almost identical to that more widespread cousin, only its greater tolerance for human-modified landscapes setting the two clearly apart.
Overview
The Syrian woodpecker, Dryobates syriacus, is a woodpecker nearly identical in appearance to the great spotted woodpecker, native to forest and grassland habitat across the Middle East and parts of southeastern Europe. Its close resemblance to its more widespread relative, greater comfort around orchards, parks, and gardens, and steadily expanding range make it one of the more successfully adapting woodpeckers found anywhere across its overlapping European and Middle Eastern range.
A look-alike that thrives closer to people
Where the great spotted woodpecker keeps more to forest, the Syrian woodpecker has found real success settling into orchards and gardens, a tolerance for human-modified landscapes that has helped fuel its steady range expansion.
Status
Least Concern, with an increasing population as the species continues to expand its range across parts of southeastern Europe.
Syrian Woodpecker: common questions
How can you tell a Syrian woodpecker from a great spotted woodpecker?
This species looks almost identical to the great spotted woodpecker, with only subtle plumage differences, such as a slightly less pronounced pink-red vent patch, reliably separating the two closely related species.
Why has the Syrian woodpecker's range expanded?
This species shows a far greater tolerance for orchards, parks, and gardens than its close relative the great spotted woodpecker, a comfort around human-modified habitat that has helped it steadily expand into new parts of southeastern Europe.
Where is the Syrian woodpecker found?
This species is native to a range spanning the Middle East and parts of southeastern Europe, an area that overlaps with the more widespread great spotted woodpecker.
Is the Syrian woodpecker considered at risk?
No, this species is classified as Least Concern, with an increasing population trend as it continues to expand its range across parts of southeastern Europe.