European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridis

Genus · Green Woodpeckers and Allies Family · Woodpeckers
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
AnthillsIsolated treesLawns

Look for a flash of yellow on the rump during its flight. Listen for the loud 'laughing' call.

European Green Woodpecker

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan40–51 cm
Weight140–250 g
Length30–36 cm
Lifespan wild5–15 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCavity
Clutch size4–6 eggs
Incubation17–20 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourMonogamous pairs

Diet: Insectivore

🐜Ants
🍎Fruits
🐛Larvae
🪱Worms

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌳 Forest deciduous🍎 Orchard🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

A Green Woodpecker's tongue can extend up to 10 centimetres beyond its bill. The tongue wraps around its skull when retracted.

About

A large woodpecker often seen on the ground. It has olive-green upperparts and a brilliant red crown. It is a resident species that favors open woodlands and large parks with short grass. Unlike other woodpeckers, it rarely drums on wood. It communicates with a loud, laughing call.

Behaviour

Green Woodpeckers are ant specialists. They use long, sticky tongues to probe into anthills on the ground. Their flight is deeply undulating. They often give a famous loud laugh—like call just as they take flight. They are shy and often spiral around tree trunks to stay hidden.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

The male has a red center in his black 'moustache' stripe (the line running back from the bill).

♀ Female

The female's moustache stripe is solid black with no red center.

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