Three-toed Woodpecker

(Picoides tridactylus)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 90-188 pairs (2007: 80-200 pairs)

Distribution pattern

With limited patchy distribution in the coniferous belt in the high parts of Rila, Pirin, part of the Western Rhodopes and possibly Vitosha. The species is established only in coniferous forests in the high parts of the Western Rhodopes, Pirin and Rila, which are not affected by forestry activities. Most of the localities are in national parks and natural reserves – in the Rila National Park and the Pirin National Park, in Bayuvi Dupki – Djindjiritsa, Parangalitsa, Mantaritsa, Beglika, and others.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020: During the period 2013-2020, the species was not found only in four 10X10 km squares indicated in the previous report. On the other hand, it was established in 11 new squares. In our opinion, this is due to specialized research on the distribution of the species in the last 6-7 years, and not to the actual expansion of its breeding habitats. 

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 80-166 pairs (88% of the national population). The highest numbers of the species have been registered in the following SPAs: “Western Rhodopes” (31 – 53 pairs), “Rila” (15 – 30 pairs), and “Pirin” (14 – 28 pairs).

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Observed in old-growth and rich in dry standing and fallen trees –  in spruce, spruce and white pine, Pinus Peuce and Pinus Heldreichii forests, rarely in spruce and beech forests, usually close to the high mountain tree line.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Threats 

Forestry felling, including sanitation cutting, also practiced in Protected Areas. Construction of new and expansion of existing ski resorts – the ski area in Bansko, Pamporovo, Chepelare, and others. Isolation of the local subpopulation from other neighbouring ones. Forest fires.

Petar Shurulinkov, Girgina Daskalova