Black Woodpecker
Black Woodpecker: Hokkaido’s Tree-Tapping Phantom
Imagine yourself deep in the silent forests of Hokkaido, the kind of forest where the trees are old enough to tell stories, and the air is so still you can hear your own thoughts. Suddenly, the silence is broken by a sound so loud and rhythmic it could be mistaken for a construction crew setting up shop nearby—a rapid series of heavy thunks echoing through the woods. But there are no workers, no chainsaws, just the unmistakable hammering of Hokkaido’s largest woodpecker, the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), hard at work.
This bird, about the size of a crow, is one of the forest’s most charismatic residents. With its glossy black plumage, striking red crown (on the males), and its formidable bill, the black woodpecker is a bird that demands attention—both from birdwatchers and the unfortunate insects hiding under the bark of Hokkaido’s trees. As the largest species of woodpecker in Europe and northern Asia, this woodpecker isn’t just a bird; it’s a force of nature, reshaping the forest one tree at a time.
Diet: The Insect Connoisseur of the Canopy
The black woodpecker’s favorite meals are those creatures that lurk beneath the bark of trees—wood-boring beetles, carpenter ants, and various larvae. Using its powerful beak like a chisel, the black woodpecker excavates holes in trees to extract its prey, often leaving behind large, rectangular cavities as evidence of its handiwork. These holes can be enormous, a clear sign that this bird isn’t content with nibbling on the odd ant or two—it goes all in, often tearing through rotten wood to expose a feast of insects.
In winter, when insect life is harder to come by, the black woodpecker will also forage for seeds and nuts, but it always prefers a good, protein-packed meal of bugs. Its long, barbed tongue is perfect for reaching into deep crevices, pulling out even the most stubborn larvae. Watching a black woodpecker feed is like watching a master craftsman at work, tapping, chiseling, and probing with precision honed by generations of evolution.
Habitat: The Woodpecker’s Kingdom of Trees
The black woodpecker is a bird of the forest, and not just any forest. It prefers old-growth forests with plenty of dead or decaying trees—perfect for finding insects and carving out nesting cavities. In Hokkaido, it’s most commonly found in mixed and coniferous forests, where tall birch, spruce, and fir trees dominate the landscape. These forests provide ample food and nesting sites for the black woodpecker, which spends much of its day moving up and down tree trunks, hammering away at the bark.
The bird’s habitat preferences are tied to its feeding habits: older forests offer a wealth of insect-infested trees, while the soft, decaying wood makes it easier for the woodpecker to excavate its impressive nest holes. These large, rectangular cavities are typically carved out in the trunks of dead or dying trees, where the wood is soft enough for the woodpecker to work but sturdy enough to provide shelter from predators and the elements.
Once these nesting sites are abandoned, they often become prime real estate for other forest creatures, including owls, squirrels, and even bats. In this way, the black woodpecker plays an essential role in the ecosystem, creating homes for a variety of other species that rely on tree cavities but don’t have the tools to make their own.
Best Places to See Them: Hokkaido’s Forested Retreats
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the black woodpecker in action, your best bet is to venture into the old-growth forests of Hokkaido. Furano’s own Daisetsuzan National Park is one of the most reliable spots for woodpecker watching, thanks to its expansive, untouched forests that provide the perfect habitat for these birds. The park’s dense woodlands, filled with ancient trees, offer plenty of opportunities to see black woodpeckers hammering away at their meals or working on their next nesting site.
Shiretoko National Park is another great location, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon when the birds are most active. Here, among the towering conifers and birch trees, you might hear the distinctive drumming of a black woodpecker before you actually see it. Their hammering can carry for miles, making it easier to track them down if you follow the sound.
For those staying near Sapporo, Maruyama Park offers a more accessible option. This forested park, with its tall trees and relative tranquility, is a known haunt of the black woodpecker. The birds often carve their signature rectangular holes in the trunks of birches and maples, making it a rewarding spot for urban birdwatchers looking to see one of Hokkaido’s most impressive birds without venturing too far from the city.
Drumming: Nature’s Percussionist
The black woodpecker isn’t just hammering away to find food—it also drums to communicate. Males and females alike use drumming to mark their territory and to attract mates, and during the breeding season, this drumming reaches its peak. Unlike some other woodpeckers that produce rapid-fire tapping, the black woodpecker’s drumming is slow, measured, and powerful, like a woodworker hitting nails with a heavy mallet.
Each burst of drumming can last several seconds, with up to 12 taps in rapid succession. The sound is so loud that it can be heard up to a kilometer away, reverberating through the forest like the beat of a bass drum. It’s one of those quintessential sounds of the wilderness, instantly recognizable once you’ve heard it.
The woodpecker’s skull is specially adapted to handle the impact of this constant drumming, with built-in shock absorbers that protect its brain from damage. This adaptation allows the bird to hammer away with abandon, whether it’s chiseling out a new nesting site or sending a sonic message to potential rivals.
Breeding and Nesting: Homes with a View
Breeding season for the black woodpecker begins in late winter or early spring, when the male’s drumming becomes more frequent and persistent. Once a pair has formed, they work together to excavate a nest cavity, usually high up in a tree trunk. The nest is an engineering marvel—large, deep, and well-protected, providing ample space for the female to lay her eggs and for the chicks to grow.
The female typically lays two to five eggs, which both parents take turns incubating. After about two weeks, the eggs hatch, and the real work begins. For the next several weeks, the parents are constantly on the move, bringing insects and other morsels back to the nest to feed their hungry chicks. The young woodpeckers fledge after about a month, but they often stay close to their parents for several weeks after leaving the nest, learning the skills they’ll need to survive on their own.
One of the most striking things about the black woodpecker’s nesting habits is the size of the holes they leave behind. These large, rectangular cavities can be as much as 60 centimeters deep, and once the woodpeckers abandon them, they become valuable real estate for other forest-dwelling creatures. Owls, squirrels, and even martens have been known to move into abandoned woodpecker nests, making the black woodpecker a vital player in the forest ecosystem.
Conservation: Guardians of the Old-Growth Forests
The black woodpecker is not currently endangered, but its reliance on old-growth forests means that it’s vulnerable to habitat loss. As Hokkaido’s forests face pressure from logging and development, the black woodpecker’s preferred habitat—forests with a mix of live and dead trees—is shrinking.
Conservation efforts in Hokkaido have focused on protecting these forests, with national parks and nature reserves like Daisetsuzan and Shiretoko providing safe havens for the black woodpecker and other species that rely on old-growth trees. By preserving these ecosystems, conservationists are ensuring that the black woodpecker has plenty of space to feed, nest, and continue its vital role as the forest’s resident tree-tapper.
Cultural Significance: Nature’s Carpenter
In Japanese folklore, the woodpecker is often seen as a symbol of perseverance and industriousness, qualities that the black woodpecker embodies to the fullest. With its relentless drumming and tireless work ethic, this bird is a fitting representation of the natural world’s resilience and resourcefulness.
For many people in Hokkaido, the black woodpecker is a symbol of the island’s untamed beauty, a reminder of the wild, ancient forests that still cover much of the landscape. Its presence in the forest is a sign that the ecosystem is healthy, with enough deadwood and insect life to support one of nature’s most determined foragers.
Final Thoughts: The Black Woodpecker’s Symphony of the Forest
There’s something uniquely satisfying about hearing the rhythmic drumming of a black woodpecker echo through the forest. It’s a sound that connects you to the heart of Hokkaido’s wilderness, reminding you that nature is always at work, quietly shaping the landscape in ways you might not notice at first glance.
Whether you’re lucky enough to spot one hammering away at a tree trunk or simply hear its steady tapping in the distance, encountering the black woodpecker is a true highlight of any trip to Hokkaido’s forests. So next time you find yourself hiking through the woods, keep an ear out for the sound of nature’s carpenter hard at work. You might just stumble upon one of these incredible birds, adding its own beat to the symphony of the forest.