Great Spotted Woodpecker

It has a very distinctive bouncing flight and spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches, often trying to hide on the side away from the observer. Its presence is often announced by its loud call or by its distinctive spring 'drumming' display as fast as a football rattle (turn on your computer speakers).

The male has a distinctive red patch on the back of the head and young birds have a red crown.  The rarer Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is smaller and has a completely red crown.