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Great Spotted Woodpecker vs Green Woodpecker

How does the Great Spotted Woodpecker compare to the Green Woodpecker? They are both members of the Picidae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.

Great Spotted Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker

Side-by-side comparison

Great Spotted Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
Scientific name
Dendrocopos major
Picus viridis
Classification
Bird
Bird
Family
Picidae
Picidae
Habitat
Temperate and boreal forests, woodlands, parks, and gardens
Woodland, parks, gardens, and grasslands with scattered trees
Diet
Omnivore
Insectivore
Conservation status
Least Concern
Least Concern
Lifespan
5-11 years
5-10 years
Weight
70-98 g
180-220 g

Great Spotted Woodpecker vs Green Woodpecker: who would win?

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

70-98 g

VS
Green Woodpecker

Green Woodpecker

180-220 g

Green Woodpecker wins moderate confidence

Green Woodpecker is substantially heavier (180-220 g vs 70-98 g). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.

Similarities

  • Both are birds.
  • Both belong to the Picidae family.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern.

Differences

  • Habitat: Temperate and boreal forests, woodlands, parks, and gardens vs Woodland, parks, gardens, and grasslands with scattered trees.
  • Diet: omnivore vs insectivore.
  • Weight: 70-98 g vs 180-220 g.

Great Spotted Woodpecker vs Green Woodpecker: FAQ

Who would win in a fight, a Great Spotted Woodpecker or a Green Woodpecker?

Green Woodpecker wins. Green Woodpecker is substantially heavier (180-220 g vs 70-98 g). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.

What is the difference between a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker?

Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker differ in several ways — habitat: temperate and boreal forests, woodlands, parks, and gardens vs woodland, parks, gardens, and grasslands with scattered trees. diet: omnivore vs insectivore. weight: 70-98 g vs 180-220 g.

Do Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker live in the same habitat?

No — Great Spotted Woodpecker lives in temperate and boreal forests, woodlands, parks, and gardens, while Green Woodpecker is found in woodland, parks, gardens, and grasslands with scattered trees.

What do Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker eat?

Great Spotted Woodpecker has a omnivore diet, while Green Woodpecker has a insectivore diet.

Which is more endangered, the Great Spotted Woodpecker or the Green Woodpecker?

Great Spotted Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern, while Green Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern.

How big are Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker?

Great Spotted Woodpecker weighs around 70-98 g, while Green Woodpecker weighs around 180-220 g.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

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Great Spotted Woodpecker

Green Woodpecker

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Green Woodpecker

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