Green Woodpecker
Picus viridis
Meet the Green Woodpecker
The Green Woodpecker is a large, vibrantly colored woodpecker native to much of Europe and western Asia. Recognizable by its green upperparts, yellow rump, and striking red crown, it is more often heard than seen due to its loud, laughing 'yaffle' call. Unlike many other woodpeckers, it spends much of its time foraging on the ground, primarily in search of ants. The species nests in tree cavities, which it excavates itself using its strong beak. Adaptable and widespread, the Green Woodpecker is a familiar sight in open woodlands, parks, and gardens.
Wikipedia Data 🎥 6 Videos 📚 3 Sources Classification
Bird
Habitat
Woodland, parks, gardens, and grasslands with scattered trees
Diet
Insectivore
Lifespan
5-10 years
Conservation
Least Concern
Weight
180-220 g
📖Fascinating Facts
Ground Forager
Unlike many other woodpeckers, the Green Woodpecker forages mainly on the ground, especially for ants, its primary food source.
Famous 'Yaffle' Call
Its loud, laughing call, known as a 'yaffle', can be heard echoing through woodlands and open country.
Extraordinary Tongue
The Green Woodpecker's tongue is exceptionally long and sticky, perfect for catching ants deep within nests.
📋Detailed Description
The European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) is a robust, medium-to-large woodpecker, measuring 30–36 cm in length with a wingspan of 40–42 cm and weighing 180–220 grams. Its plumage is predominantly green on the upperparts, with a distinctive yellowish rump and a bright red crown and nape; males also display a red 'moustachial' stripe bordered in black, while females have a black stripe. The underparts are paler, often with a slight olive tinge. The bird’s strong, chisel-like bill is adapted for excavating wood and probing into soil, while its long, barbed tongue—up to 10 cm—enables it to extract ants and larvae from deep crevices. The Green Woodpecker has zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two backward) and stiff tail feathers, which provide stability when climbing tree trunks. Unlike many woodpeckers, it spends significant time on the ground, where it forages for ants, its primary food source. It is a generally shy and solitary species outside of the breeding season, often detected by its loud, laughing 'yaffle' call. Nesting occurs in tree cavities, which the pair excavates together, typically in mature deciduous trees. The species is non-migratory, with established territories maintained year-round. Its presence is often an indicator of healthy, semi-open woodland ecosystems.
💡 Did you know?
The tongue of the Green Woodpecker can extend up to 10 cm beyond its beak, allowing it to reach deep into ant nests.
🔬Research & Sources
Wikipedia Summary
There are four species of bird named green woodpecker:European green woodpecker, Picus viridis Iberian green woodpecker, Picus sharpei Japanese green woodpecker, Picus awokera Cuban green woodpecker, Xiphidiopicus percussus
Last Modified: 2/14/2020
🎭Behavior & Social Structure
Green Woodpeckers are diurnal and most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Their foraging behavior is distinctive: they spend considerable time on the ground, using their strong bills to probe ant nests and their long, sticky tongues to extract adult ants, larvae, and pupae. They may also consume beetles, spiders, and occasionally fruit or seeds, especially in winter. Socially, Green Woodpeckers are largely solitary or found in pairs, except during the breeding season. Territorial disputes are common and involve vocalizations and display flights. They are known for their characteristic undulating flight pattern and for using their 'yaffle' call both to communicate with mates and to advertise territory. Roosting typically occurs in tree cavities, and individuals may use the same roost site for extended periods.
👶Reproduction & Life Cycle
The breeding season for Green Woodpeckers typically begins in April and extends through July. Courtship involves mutual calling, drumming, and display flights. Both sexes participate in excavating a new nest cavity each year, usually 2–10 meters above ground in a mature tree. The female lays 4–7 glossy white eggs, which are incubated by both parents for 14–17 days. After hatching, both adults feed the chicks with regurgitated ants and other insects. The nestlings fledge at around 21–24 days old but may remain dependent on the parents for several weeks post-fledging. Green Woodpeckers are generally monogamous within a breeding season, and pairs may reunite in subsequent years if both survive.
🛡️Adaptations & Survival
Green Woodpeckers exhibit several unique adaptations for their specialized lifestyle. Their long, extensible tongue is coated with sticky saliva and equipped with backward-facing barbs, allowing efficient extraction of ants from deep tunnels. The skull is reinforced to absorb the impact of pecking, and the brain is cushioned by spongy bone and specialized membranes. Nostrils are protected by bristly feathers to prevent debris ingress. Their cryptic green coloration provides camouflage among foliage, while the yellow rump is thought to play a role in intraspecific signaling. The zygodactyl feet and stiff tail feathers enable vertical climbing and stability on tree trunks. Behavioral adaptations include ground foraging and seasonal dietary flexibility.
📚Research Sources
🎨Cultural Significance
The Green Woodpecker has a prominent place in European folklore and culture. Its distinctive call, the 'yaffle,' is referenced in literature and was the inspiration for the character 'Professor Yaffle' in the British children's series 'Bagpuss.' In some traditions, the bird is associated with rain prediction or considered an omen. Its presence is often viewed as a sign of a healthy environment. There are no known traditional uses of the species in medicine or crafts, but its striking appearance and behavior have made it a subject of birdwatching and nature appreciation.
🔬Recent Research & Discoveries
Recent studies have focused on the Green Woodpecker’s foraging ecology, particularly its reliance on ant populations and the impact of changing land use on its diet. Genetic analyses have clarified its relationship to the Iberian Green Woodpecker (Picus sharpei), supporting their status as distinct species. Bioacoustic research has explored the function and variation of its vocalizations, while tracking studies have revealed high site fidelity and limited dispersal in adults. Ongoing research is examining the effects of climate change on breeding phenology and range shifts, as well as the role of woodpeckers as ecosystem engineers in woodland habitats.
🎥Wildlife Videos
Wild America | S2 E10 Woodpeckers: Nature’s Hammerheads | Full Episode HD
Have you ever walked in the woods and seen a hole high up in a tree? Chances are that even though a small mammal or another ...
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Birds are allies of foresters in forest protection. They contribute to reducing the population of insects, which in a large number pose ...
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Why are rare woodpeckers thriving on this US Army base? | WILD HOPE
One of the most inspiring conservation stories in American history is playing out on, of all places, a live-fire training ground at Ft.
Nature on PBS
The Green Woodpecker
N.A.B Wildlife
Green Woodpeckers in the UK - How and where to find them.
Green woodpeckers are one of three native woodpeckers species and are one of the most common. In this video I go searching ...
A Shot Of Wildlife
🌍Habitat Information
The Green Woodpecker typically inhabits Woodland, parks, gardens, and grasslands with scattered trees environments. Green Woodpeckers have adapted to their environments with specialized features and behaviors.
Primary Habitat:
Woodland, parks, gardens, and grasslands with scattered trees
More detailed habitat information will be available soon.
🛡️Conservation Status
The Green Woodpecker is currently classified as Least Concern. Conservation efforts are crucial for preserving this species for future generations.
Common Threats:
- 🏠Habitat loss and fragmentation
- 🌡️Climate change impacts
- 🎯Hunting and poaching
- 🏭Human-wildlife conflict
⚠️Threats & Conservation Challenges
Currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Green Woodpecker’s population is stable across most of its range. However, localized declines have been noted due to habitat loss, particularly the removal of mature trees and deadwood required for nesting. Pesticide use can reduce ant populations, impacting food availability. Climate change poses emerging risks, potentially altering habitat suitability and prey abundance. Collisions with vehicles and predation by mammals such as martens and domestic cats are minor threats. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining heterogeneous woodlands, preserving old trees, and promoting traditional land management practices.
🔬Scientific Classification
Scientific Name
Picus viridis
Classification Hierarchy
🔍 About Taxonomic Classification
Taxonomic classification is a hierarchical system used by scientists to classify and organize living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
The system moves from broad categories (Kingdom) to increasingly specific ones, with each animal's scientific name typically consisting of its Genus and species.
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