It occupies deciduous and mixed (in Europe rarely coniferous) forests with mature trees with well-developed canopy, also riverine woodland, parkland, old orchards, large gardens etc. Species’ range extends across the temperate regions of the Palearctic, from W Europe and S Scandinavia to Kamchatka, Japan and SE China, as well as NW Africa and Middle East. It is widespread in Europe, absent in most of Fennoscandia and some islands (Harrap et al. 2020, Keller et al. 2020).
Essentially resident species, irregular irruptions sometimes take place.
Its population trend in Europe is increasing. Evaluated as “Least Concern” (BirdLife International 2021).