Jirisan National Park, Habitat of Natural Monument 'Kkamak Ddaktaguri'

A female public official from Hamyang County Office, who has climbed Jirisan Cheonwangbong Peak more than 300 times, recently captured the image of the natural monument ‘Kkamak Ddaktaguri’ during a Jirisan climb.

Kim Jong-nam, in charge of performing arts at Hamyang County Cultural Facilities Division, confirmed the presence of Kkamak Ddaktaguri (Natural Monument No. 242, endangered species level 2) living in the area while climbing Jirisan on the 9th.

The Black Woodpecker (endangered species level 2) inhabits Jirisan National Park.

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It has been continuously observed at the same location every April for three consecutive years since 2021.

Kim said, “It is difficult to disclose the exact location, but it was found at a high altitude on the route from Baekmudong, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, to Jangteomok Shelter.”

The Kkamak Ddaktaguri is a large woodpecker belonging to the family Picidae of the order Piciformes, native to Asia and Europe. It is omnivorous, mainly feeding on Far Eastern wood ants and longhorn beetles. Its size is about 46 cm, and it weighs approximately 320 g. Its natural predators include starlings, flying squirrels, and martens. It is classified as a highly endangered species.

Except for the area from the forehead to the back of the head, its entire body is black like a crow, which is why it is named ‘Kkamak Ddaktaguri.’ In Korea, it was designated as Natural Monument No. 242 on April 12, 1973.

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