Greater spotted woodpecker sitting on a garden fence
Vaughn Matthews

Woodpeckers, cuckoos, kingfishers and waxwings

Find out about and learn to identify woodpeckers, cuckoos, kingfishers and waxwings in Kent using our handy species guide.

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Great spotted woodpecker

Great spotted woodpecker

Species

The 'drumming' of a great spotted woodpecker is a familiar sound of our woodlands, parks and gardens. It is a form of communication and is mostly used to mark territories and to display in spring.

Green woodpecker
©Andy Morffew

Green woodpecker

Species

The laughing 'yaffle' call of the green woodpecker can be heard in our woodlands, parks and gardens. Look out for it hopping about your lawn, searching for ants to eat.

Lesser spotted woodpecker
©Stefan Johansson

Lesser spotted woodpecker

Species

The lesser spotted woodpecker is the smallest of the UK's woodpeckers. Listen out for its drumming, which is quieter than that of the great spotted woodpecker, in woodland, parks , orchards and gardens.

Cuckoo

Species

Considered to be an early sign of spring, the song of the cuckoo sounds the same as its name: ‘cuck-oo’. It can be heard in woodlands and grasslands. Cuckoos famously lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.

Kingfisher - Jon Hawkins

Kingfisher

Species

Blink and you may miss the fantastic kingfisher! This beautiful bird is easy to recognise thanks to its bright blue and metallic copper colours. It darts along the riverbank or sits patiently on a low branch over the water waiting for its next meal to…

Waxwing
©Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography

Waxwing

Species

The waxwing is a colourful winter visitor. It can often be spotted in large flocks in berry-laden bushes in towns, car parks and gardens.