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The scientific name of the White-backed woodpecker, *Dendrocopos leucotos*, directly signifies its white back.
Answer: True
Explanation: The scientific name *Dendrocopos leucotos* is derived from Greek roots, with *leucotos* specifically meaning 'white-backed,' accurately reflecting a key physical characteristic of the species.
Johann Matthäus Bechstein first described the White-backed woodpecker in 1802, initially naming it *Dendrocopos leucotos*.
Answer: False
Explanation: Johann Matthäus Bechstein first described the species in 1802, but he initially named it *Picus leucotos*. The genus *Dendrocopos* was established later.
The genus *Dendrocopos*, which includes the White-backed woodpecker, was introduced by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1816.
Answer: True
Explanation: The genus *Dendrocopos* was established by German naturalist Carl Ludwig Koch in 1816; the White-backed woodpecker is currently classified within this genus.
The taxonomic classification lists the White-backed woodpecker under the Order Passeriformes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The White-backed woodpecker belongs to the Order Piciformes, not Passeriformes.
The *Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names* provides etymological details for the specific epithet *leucotos*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names* indeed provides the etymological meaning of *leucotos*, identifying it as derived from Greek for 'white-backed'.
What is the scientific name of the White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: Dendrocopos leucotos
Explanation: The scientific name of the White-backed woodpecker is *Dendrocopos leucotos*.
Who first described the White-backed woodpecker, and in what year was this description published?
Answer: Johann Matthäus Bechstein in 1802
Explanation: Johann Matthäus Bechstein first described the species in 1802, initially naming it *Picus leucotos*.
What is the etymological meaning of the specific epithet "*leucotos*"?
Answer: White-backed
Explanation: The specific epithet *leucotos* originates from Classical Greek (*leukos* meaning 'white' and *-nōtos* meaning '-backed'), directly referencing the bird's white back.
What information does the *Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names* provide regarding the White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: The etymological meaning of its specific epithet.
Explanation: The *Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names* explains the etymology of *leucotos* as derived from Greek for 'white-backed'.
What is the significance of the 2016 BirdLife International reference concerning *Dendrocopos owstoni*?
Answer: It pertains to its conservation status as a distinct species.
Explanation: The 2016 BirdLife International reference for *Dendrocopos owstoni* addresses its conservation status, noting its classification as a distinct species.
The White-backed woodpecker is smaller than the great spotted woodpecker in the western Palearctic.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, the White-backed woodpecker is the largest among the spotted woodpeckers in the western Palearctic region.
Both male and female White-backed woodpeckers possess a red crown.
Answer: False
Explanation: Only the male White-backed woodpecker possesses a red crown; the female has a black crown.
The White-backed woodpecker's typical vocalizations include a soft 'kiuk' call and loud drumming produced by males.
Answer: True
Explanation: Vocalizations include a soft 'kiuk' call and a longer 'kweek' call; males also produce loud drumming.
The White-backed woodpecker prefers habitats with dense coniferous forests.
Answer: False
Explanation: The White-backed woodpecker primarily inhabits mature deciduous forests with abundant dead wood, not dense coniferous forests.
The primary diet of the White-backed woodpecker consists mainly of ants and termites.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary diet of the White-backed woodpecker consists mainly of wood-boring beetles and their larvae, rather than ants and termites.
The White-backed woodpecker's primary food source is wood-boring beetles and their larvae.
Answer: True
Explanation: The primary food source for the White-backed woodpecker consists of wood-boring beetles and their larvae, supplemented by other dietary items.
The White-backed woodpecker is distinguished from the great spotted woodpecker by having spots on its wings instead of white bars.
Answer: False
Explanation: The White-backed woodpecker is distinguished by white bars on its wings, whereas the great spotted woodpecker typically has spots.
How does the White-backed woodpecker's size compare to other spotted woodpeckers in the western Palearctic?
Answer: It is the largest.
Explanation: The White-backed woodpecker is the largest among western Palearctic spotted woodpeckers, measuring approximately 24-26 cm in length with a 38-40 cm wingspan.
What is a key plumage difference between the White-backed woodpecker and the great spotted woodpecker?
Answer: The White-backed woodpecker has white bars across its wings, whereas the great spotted woodpecker has spots.
Explanation: Distinguishing features from the great spotted woodpecker include white bars across the wings (instead of spots) and a white lower back.
What is the primary plumage difference between male and female White-backed woodpeckers?
Answer: Males have a red crown; females have a black crown.
Explanation: Sexual dimorphism is evident in the crown plumage: males possess a red crown, while females have a black crown.
Which of the following is a characteristic vocalization of the male White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: Loud drumming
Explanation: Vocalizations include a soft 'kiuk' call and a longer 'kweek' call; males also produce loud drumming.
What type of habitat is essential for the White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: Mature deciduous forests with abundant dead wood
Explanation: Essential habitat includes mature deciduous forests with abundant standing and lying dead wood, which provide crucial nesting sites and foraging opportunities.
What constitutes the primary diet of the White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: Wood-boring beetles and their larvae
Explanation: The primary diet consists of wood-boring beetles and their larvae, supplemented by other insects, nuts, seeds, and berries.
What is the primary reason for the White-backed woodpecker's reliance on mature deciduous forests with dead wood?
Answer: Requirement for nesting sites excavated in decaying tree trunks.
Explanation: Mature deciduous forests with abundant dead wood are crucial for nesting sites (excavated in decaying trunks) and foraging.
Which statement accurately describes the White-backed woodpecker's diet?
Answer: Its main food is wood-boring beetles and larvae, supplemented by other items.
Explanation: The primary diet consists of wood-boring beetles and their larvae, supplemented by other insects, nuts, seeds, and berries.
A clutch of White-backed woodpecker eggs typically consists of 7 to 9 eggs, with incubation lasting around 15 days.
Answer: False
Explanation: A typical clutch size for the White-backed woodpecker is three to five eggs, and the incubation period is approximately 10 to 11 days, not 7-9 eggs and 15 days.
The typical lifespan of a White-backed woodpecker in the wild is approximately 10 years.
Answer: False
Explanation: The typical lifespan of a White-backed woodpecker in the wild is approximately three to four years, not ten years.
White-backed woodpeckers kept in captivity have been observed to live significantly longer, up to eleven years.
Answer: True
Explanation: Captive White-backed woodpeckers have a documented lifespan of up to eleven years, which is considerably longer than their typical wild lifespan.
The White-backed woodpecker's nest holes are typically 7 cm wide and 15 cm deep.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the width is approximately 7 cm, the typical depth of a White-backed woodpecker's nest hole is 30 cm, not 15 cm.
What are the typical dimensions of the nest hole excavated by the White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: 7 cm wide, 30 cm deep
Explanation: Nest holes are excavated in decaying tree trunks, typically measuring approximately 7 cm in width and 30 cm in depth.
How many eggs does a White-backed woodpecker typically lay?
Answer: 3-5
Explanation: A clutch typically comprises three to five white eggs.
What is the incubation period for White-backed woodpecker eggs?
Answer: 10-11 days
Explanation: The incubation period for White-backed woodpecker eggs lasts between 10 and 11 days.
What is the typical lifespan of a White-backed woodpecker in its natural habitat?
Answer: 3-4 years
Explanation: The typical lifespan in the wild is three to four years, influenced by factors like food availability, predation, and environmental conditions.
How does the lifespan of a White-backed woodpecker in captivity compare to its lifespan in the wild?
Answer: Captive birds live significantly longer, up to 11 years.
Explanation: In captivity, White-backed woodpeckers can live for approximately eleven years, a significant increase compared to their wild lifespan of three to four years.
The type locality for the White-backed woodpecker is located in modern-day Poland.
Answer: True
Explanation: The type locality for the White-backed woodpecker is Silesia, a historical region that is now predominantly located in Poland.
The article recognizes exactly ten subspecies of the White-backed woodpecker.
Answer: False
Explanation: The article recognizes twelve subspecies of the White-backed woodpecker, not ten.
The subspecies *D. l. owstoni*, found on Amami Ōshima Island, is sometimes considered a distinct species known as the Amami woodpecker.
Answer: True
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. owstoni*, endemic to Amami Ōshima Island, is sometimes recognized as a distinct species, the Amami woodpecker, indicating potential taxonomic divergence.
The subspecies *D. l. lilfordi* is found from the Pyrenees eastward through Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and the Balkans.
Answer: True
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. lilfordi* is distributed from the Pyrenees eastward through Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, the Balkans, and Turkey.
The subspecies *D. l. uralensis* is found in Japan.
Answer: False
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. uralensis* is found in the Ural Mountains region and eastward to Lake Baikal, not in Japan.
The subspecies *D. l. subcirris* inhabits Hokkaido, Japan.
Answer: True
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. subcirris* is indeed found on Hokkaido, the northernmost main island of Japan.
The subspecies *D. l. insularis* is found on Taiwan.
Answer: True
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. insularis* is geographically located on Taiwan.
The subspecies *D. l. fohkiensis* is found in Sichuan province, China.
Answer: False
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. fohkiensis* is found in Fujian province, China; *D. l. tangi* is the subspecies found in Sichuan province.
The subspecies *D. l. stejnegeri* inhabits northern Honshu, Japan.
Answer: True
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. stejnegeri* is correctly identified as inhabiting northern Honshu, Japan.
The subspecies *D. l. namiyei* is found on the southern Japanese islands of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
Answer: True
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. namiyei* is distributed across the southern Japanese islands of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
Where is the type locality for the White-backed woodpecker located?
Answer: Silesia, now predominantly in Poland
Explanation: The type locality for the White-backed woodpecker is Silesia, a historical region now primarily within Poland, representing the area of its initial scientific description.
How many subspecies of the White-backed woodpecker are recognized in the provided text?
Answer: Twelve
Explanation: The article recognizes twelve subspecies of the White-backed woodpecker.
Which subspecies is sometimes considered a distinct species known as the Amami woodpecker?
Answer: D. l. owstoni
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. owstoni*, endemic to Amami Ōshima Island, is sometimes recognized as a distinct species, the Amami woodpecker.
The nominate race, *D. l. leucotos*, is distributed across which major geographical areas?
Answer: Europe, northeast Asia, and Korea
Explanation: The nominate subspecies, *D. l. leucotos*, has an extensive range across Eurasia, from Europe to northeast Asia, including Korea and Sakhalin.
Which subspecies is found from the Pyrenees eastward through Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and the Balkans?
Answer: D. l. lilfordi
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. lilfordi* is distributed from the Pyrenees eastward through Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, the Balkans, and Turkey.
Which subspecies is found on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island?
Answer: D. l. subcirris
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. subcirris* inhabits Hokkaido, the northernmost main island of Japan.
The subspecies *D. l. tangi* is found in which region of China?
Answer: Sichuan province
Explanation: In China, the subspecies *D. l. tangi* is found in Sichuan province, while *D. l. fohkiensis* inhabits Fujian province.
The subspecies *D. l. insularis* is geographically located on which island?
Answer: Taiwan
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. insularis* is found on Taiwan.
The subspecies *D. l. takahashii* is found on which island?
Answer: Ulleungdo Island
Explanation: The subspecies *D. l. takahashii* is located on Ulleungdo Island, off the coast of eastern Korea.
The White-backed woodpecker is classified as 'Endangered' by the IUCN Red List.
Answer: False
Explanation: The IUCN Red List classifies the White-backed woodpecker as 'Least Concern', not 'Endangered'.
The population of the White-backed woodpecker has been increasing in the Nordic countries.
Answer: False
Explanation: The population trend for the White-backed woodpecker in the Nordic countries has been one of decline, not increase.
The Swedish government has listed the White-backed woodpecker as a species requiring protection under its national Biodiversity Action Plan.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Swedish government has designated the White-backed woodpecker for protection under its national Biodiversity Action Plan due to population declines.
According to the IUCN Red List, what is the conservation status of the White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: Least Concern
Explanation: The White-backed woodpecker is classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN Red List.
What has been the population trend of the White-backed woodpecker in the Nordic countries?
Answer: Declining
Explanation: The population trend for the White-backed woodpecker in the Nordic countries has been one of decline.
What conservation measure has the Swedish government implemented for the White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: Listing it under its national Biodiversity Action Plan for protection
Explanation: The Swedish government has designated the White-backed woodpecker for protection under its national Biodiversity Action Plan due to population declines.
What does the population decline in Nordic countries suggest about the White-backed woodpecker?
Answer: Habitat loss or degradation might be impacting the population.
Explanation: The population decline in the Nordic countries suggests that habitat loss or degradation may be impacting the species.
The 'Authority control' section provides links to databases for unique identification and management of information about the species.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Authority control' section serves to provide standardized identifiers and links to authoritative records for the species, ensuring data consistency and accessibility.
Which taxonomic identifier links to a database of bird information, likely including details on taxonomy and distribution?
Answer: Avibase
Explanation: The Avibase link provides access to a comprehensive database of bird information, including taxonomy and distribution data for the White-backed woodpecker.
What is the function of citing taxonomic identifiers like those found in Avibase or GBIF?
Answer: To ensure consistent referencing and cross-referencing across biological databases.
Explanation: Citing taxonomic identifiers ensures consistent referencing and cross-referencing across biological databases.