Woodpeckers in UK zoos?

DesertRhino150

DesertRhino150

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Does anybody know if any British collections hold any woodpecker species, just out of interest?

If so, what species are kept and what collection are they found in?

If not, what species would you like to see in a UK collection, if you were able to choose?
 
DesertRhino150 said:
Does anybody know if any British collections hold any woodpecker species, just out of interest?

If so, what species are kept and what collection are they found in?

If not, what species would you like to see in a UK collection, if you were able to choose?
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ZootierlisteHomepage

a quick zootierliste search shows that paradise park have greater Yellow Naped Woodpecker.
 
It's great that at least one species of woodpecker (and a lovely exotic species, no less) is in the UK. It's a shame they haven't caught on really; I'd say they are one of the more recognisable bird families, and there are lots of other exotic species (some very colourful) that I think would make great zoo exhibits.
 
Chester has a wild native woodpecker (can't remember what species) living wild within the grounds. I think it is in the trees near the congi buffalo bridge (leading towards the fountain lawn).
 
I wondered who might be first to talk about wild woodpeckers here. Javan Rhino gets the virtual trophy. Most likely species for Chester would be Greater Spotted (and probably Green too given the open lawns). Some zoos in wooded areas could boast all three UK species.

Do London have any (captive) Woodpecker species?

My choice would be Black Woodpecker- marvellous, impressive birds.
 
They are no longer there, but Blackpool used to have white woodpecker. That's the only time I have ever seen woodpeckers in captivity.
 
At one time there were quite a few of the lovely White Woodpecker around - I think Chester bred them and possible London - a real shame that they all died out .
 
It's a real shame about the loss of the white woodpecker- a stunning looking species.

If I was able to choose some woodpecker species to return to the UK, I would have to say:
Great slaty woodpecker, yellow-fronted woodpecker, white woodpecker, Campo flicker and rufous-necked wryneck

Can anyone say why there is such a lack of woodpecker species? Lack of demand? Difficulty in breeding? Difficulty in husbandry? I'd imagine keeping them in an enclosure might be tricky, with their pecking habits. I'd be interested to hear any ideas.
 
No clue why, a lot of species are highly insectivorious which is quite expensive, but most european species bred quite reguraly by private breeders.
 
Bele said:
At one time there were quite a few of the lovely White Woodpecker around - I think Chester bred them and possible London - a real shame that they all died out .
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Yes , I`m sure I have seen them at Birdworld and elsewhere , maybe yellow-fronted aswell? Certainly there have been , and probably still are , some woodpeckers in the superb private collection of Raymond Sawyer of course!
 
Bele said:
At one time there were quite a few of the lovely White Woodpecker around - I think Chester bred them and possible London - a real shame that they all died out .
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Chester bred white woodpeckers on three occasions. I think it was only the second breeding in the UK.

1987 3
1988 5
1991 1

I also saw them at London, but can't remember seeing any at Blackpool.

I saw Western Black-headed Woodpecker (Picus erythropygius nigrigenis) at Chester in 1974, they bred but did not rear the chicks.

The only other captive woodpecker species I can remember seeing is Blond-crested (Celeus flavescens) at Birdworld in 1989.
 
I have asked about the Paradise Park greater yellownape woodpecker, and was told that it died a couple of months ago :( . But apparently, there is one somewhere on the Isle of Wight, this is the first I've ever heard of one there. Does anybody know what place keeps it? :confused:
 
It would be most likely to be at Amazon World Zoo, or possibly Flamingo Park Wildlife Encounter. ISIS don't list either collection as having this species though.
 
I have since got further information that the greater yellownape on the Isle of Wight is actually a privately-owned individual. I guess that means a trip to the continent to see woodpeckers now.
 
bongorob said:
Chester bred white woodpeckers on three occasions. I think it was only the second breeding in the UK.

1987 3
1988 5
1991 1

I also saw them at London, but can't remember seeing any at Blackpool.

I saw Western Black-headed Woodpecker (Picus erythropygius nigrigenis) at Chester in 1974, they bred but did not rear the chicks.

The only other captive woodpecker species I can remember seeing is Blond-crested (Celeus flavescens) at Birdworld in 1989.
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Yes, as I`m sure you know, Birdworld achieved a UK first breeding of the Blond-crested in 1989.
 
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