The instantaneous scan method was used to study time budget and activity rhythm of four captive Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major) in Beijing Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center from June to August in 2011.One-way ANOVA were used to analyze the differences in activity rhythm between hours and diurnal time budget between male and female. The birds spent their time mainly in resting, flying & walking, and foraging at frequency of 36.24%, 26.96%, and 17.69% respectively. Except for foraging, preening and other behavior, the time budget of each behavior were not difference significantly between male and female (P>0.05). The diurnal activity of the four birds had a significant rhythm with an activity peak in the morning and rest peak at midday. No significant difference was detected in frequency of flying and walking, preening, resting and jumping between male and female (P>0.05), however, male foraged with a higher frequency than the female did (P<0.05).