Green Woodpecker
The (European) Green Woodpecker is a large green woodpecker species. There are 3 sub-species with subtle differences between them whilst the Iberian Green Woodpecker found in Spain and Portugal and the Levaillant's Woodpecker found in north west Africa were formerly considered as sub-species but are now treated as separate species based on the results of studies published in 2011
The Green Woodpecker measures 12 to 14 inches in length with a 18 to 20 inches wingspan. Both sexes are green above and pale yellowish green below with a yellow rump and red crown and nape. The moustachial stripe has a red centre in the male but is solid black in the female. The lores and around the white eye are black in both male and female. Juveniles are spotty and streaked all over with a dark moustachial stripe initially although juvenile males can show some red feathers by early June or usually by July or August.
Although the Green Woodpecker is shy and wary, it is usually its loud calls known as “yaffling” which first draw attention. Unlike many other woodpecker species, it rarely “drums” but often gives noisy calls while flying. The flight is undulating with 3 to 4 wingbeats followed by a short glide when the wings are held by the body.
More than 75% of the range of the Green Woodpecker is in Europe although it is absent from the extreme north and east and also from Ireland, Greenland and the Macaronesian islands. Otherwise it is distributed widely with over 50% of the European population thought to be in France and Germany with substantial numbers also in the UK. It also occurs in west Asia. The Green Woodpecker is highly sedentary and individuals rarely move far from where they were born.
The Green Woodpecker is generally found in semi-open landscapes with small woodlands, hedges, scattered old trees, edges of forests and floodplain forests. Suitable habitats for feeding include grassland, heaths, plantations, orchards and lawns.
The Green Woodpecker is the largest of the 3 woodpecker species that breed in the UK. It can be found all year round and it is mainly a lowland species that breeds in open deciduous woodland, parks, orchards and farmland in England, Wales and Scotland although it is absent from the far north and west of the UK.
The nest hole of the Green Woodpecker is larger but similar to those of other woodpecker species. It may be a few feet above the ground or at the top of a tall tree. Oaks, beeches, willows, aspens and fruit trees are the preferred nest trees. The hole may be excavated in sound or rotten wood with an entrance hole of 2.5 to 3 inches. The cavity inside may be up to 16 inches deep and excavation work is performed mostly by the male over 15 to 30 days. Some tree holes are used for breeding for more than 10 years but not necessarily by the same pair. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs and, after the last egg is laid, they are incubated for 19 to 20 days by both parents. The chicks fledge 21 to 24 days after hatching.
The Green Woodpecker's diet consists primarily of various ant species and it spends much of its time foraging on the ground in grassland areas where the availability of ant nests is high. At ant nests, it probes into the ground and licks up adult ants and their larvae with its long tongue that wraps up and around the back of its head. Other insects and small reptiles are also taken occasionally.
Date: 20th November 2024
Location: Laindon, Essex
The Green Woodpecker measures 12 to 14 inches in length with a 18 to 20 inches wingspan. Both sexes are green above and pale yellowish green below with a yellow rump and red crown and nape. The moustachial stripe has a red centre in the male but is solid black in the female. The lores and around the white eye are black in both male and female. Juveniles are spotty and streaked all over with a dark moustachial stripe initially although juvenile males can show some red feathers by early June or usually by July or August.
Although the Green Woodpecker is shy and wary, it is usually its loud calls known as “yaffling” which first draw attention. Unlike many other woodpecker species, it rarely “drums” but often gives noisy calls while flying. The flight is undulating with 3 to 4 wingbeats followed by a short glide when the wings are held by the body.
More than 75% of the range of the Green Woodpecker is in Europe although it is absent from the extreme north and east and also from Ireland, Greenland and the Macaronesian islands. Otherwise it is distributed widely with over 50% of the European population thought to be in France and Germany with substantial numbers also in the UK. It also occurs in west Asia. The Green Woodpecker is highly sedentary and individuals rarely move far from where they were born.
The Green Woodpecker is generally found in semi-open landscapes with small woodlands, hedges, scattered old trees, edges of forests and floodplain forests. Suitable habitats for feeding include grassland, heaths, plantations, orchards and lawns.
The Green Woodpecker is the largest of the 3 woodpecker species that breed in the UK. It can be found all year round and it is mainly a lowland species that breeds in open deciduous woodland, parks, orchards and farmland in England, Wales and Scotland although it is absent from the far north and west of the UK.
The nest hole of the Green Woodpecker is larger but similar to those of other woodpecker species. It may be a few feet above the ground or at the top of a tall tree. Oaks, beeches, willows, aspens and fruit trees are the preferred nest trees. The hole may be excavated in sound or rotten wood with an entrance hole of 2.5 to 3 inches. The cavity inside may be up to 16 inches deep and excavation work is performed mostly by the male over 15 to 30 days. Some tree holes are used for breeding for more than 10 years but not necessarily by the same pair. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs and, after the last egg is laid, they are incubated for 19 to 20 days by both parents. The chicks fledge 21 to 24 days after hatching.
The Green Woodpecker's diet consists primarily of various ant species and it spends much of its time foraging on the ground in grassland areas where the availability of ant nests is high. At ant nests, it probes into the ground and licks up adult ants and their larvae with its long tongue that wraps up and around the back of its head. Other insects and small reptiles are also taken occasionally.
Date: 20th November 2024
Location: Laindon, Essex
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