Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates major)
~ 1828
About this artwork
An exquisite scientific illustration of a male Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates major) by W. C. Wright, depicted clinging to a tree trunk. This detailed print is characteristic of ornithological plates from natural history publications of the early 20th century.
Did you know?
Great Spotted Woodpeckers are remarkable for their unique drumming communication, a rapid series of pecks used to announce their presence and mark territory rather than purely foraging. This illustration beautifully captures the bird's strong claws and stiff tail feathers, essential adaptations that allow it to grip and brace itself against tree trunks while hammering away for insects hidden beneath the bark. Such detailed bird studies were crucial for cataloging the natural world during the golden age of ornithological exploration.
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Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates major)
Wihelm Wright, ~ 1828
