35 beautiful images of European Green Woodpecker and interesting things about them

35 beautiful images of European Green Woodpecker and interesting things about them

Woodpeckers belong to the family Picidae, which comprises over 230 recognized species from 33 genera.

These fascinating birds can be found across the world, although many species are specific to relatively small and isolated areas.

They are present in almost all regions of the globe, with the exception of Antarctica, Greenland, Madagascar, and Australasia. In this profile, we will focus on the three species of Picus viridis, commonly known as the Eurasian Green Woodpecker, with a specific emphasis on the Picus viridis viridis subspecies. This subspecies is prevalent in the United Kingdom, France, Scandinavia, and western Russia.

What does a European Green Woodpecker look like?

The European Green Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker species found in the United Kingdom and the second largest in Europe, following the Black Woodpecker. Adult birds have predominantly green upperparts with white underparts, which have a pale yellow tint. The rump displays a yellow-green color, and the cheeks have a whitish hue similar to the bird’s underparts. Both male and female birds have a vibrant red cap that extends downward towards the nape, surrounded by a black patch around the white eye.

The malar area, or “moustache,” is black with a red center in males and solid black in females. The upperwing secondary flight feathers are green, while the primary feathers and tail feathers are dark grey with white barring. The tail itself is relatively short and aids the bird when it clings upright to a tree trunk. Underwing flight feathers are pale grey with extensive white barring.

The bird’s bill is long and chunky, with a grey-blue color, and its tongue can measure up to 10 centimeters in length! The legs are grey-brown and feature two forward-pointing toes and two angled backward. Juvenile birds have green upperparts with white spots, a pale greyish-white face, and underparts streaked and spotted in black. The forehead, crown, and nape display red coloration with grey streaks.

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What does a European Green Woodpecker sound like? Unlike most species of woodpeckers, the European Green Woodpecker rarely drums (producing the tap-tap-tapping noise commonly heard with other species). Instead, it primarily vocalizes with loud calls, which can be described as a repeated ‘kleu-kleu-kleu-kleu’ or a single ‘kyik’ when alarmed.

European Green Woodpecker Call

Mathias Götz, XC665473. Available at [link]

What does a European Green Woodpecker eаt?

A diet of ants, ant eggs and larvae are the staple for this shy, resident breeder. Unlike most members of the Picidae family European green woodpeckers frequently forage and feed off the ground where they probe ants’ nests with their long sticky tongues.

European Green Woodpecker digging in an ant’s nest

Distribution Picus viridis

viridis is a widespread resident found across southern Scandinavia, extending eastwards into western Russia and the Balkans. It is common in parts of Scotland and throughout England, Wales, and France.

Picus viridis karelini is similar in plumage but exhibits less yellow and more grey coloration. It is generally smaller in size compared to the nominate species. Its range extends from Italy through the southern Balkans into Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and then southeast into northwestern Iran and southwestern Turkmenistan.

Picus viridis innominatus is a monotypic subspecies and shares similarities with the nominate species, with occasional subtle color differences. It inhabits the range along the Zagros Mountains, which stretches between northeastern Iraq and southwestern Iran.

Preferred habitats for European Green Woodpeckers include broadleaved and mixed woodlands, farmland, and other open areas such as heath with natural bushes and small coppices.

European Green Woodpecker in flight

Signs and Spotting Tips

The European Green Woodpecker is easily identifiable by its green plumage and bright red crown, making it distinct in Britain. However, in other parts of Europe, it can be confused with the similarly sized and colored Grey-headed Woodpecker. The Grey-headed Woodpecker has a thinner black mustache and lacks the vivid red crown, instead having a small red patch on the forehead. Additionally, it has a mid-grey head and its underparts are tinged with grey. The European Green Woodpecker is often observed feeding on grassy areas and cultivated lawns as it searches for ants. It is a solitary and shy bird, although its call can be incredibly loud and shrill.

Breeding

The male European Green Woodpecker predominantly excavates a nesting hole, typically in a deciduous tree, which can take up to a month to complete. Once a year, between May and July, the female lays a clutch of 4 to 6 white eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch after approximately twenty days. The hatchlings emerge naked and helpless, relying on their parents for food and care (altricial). Fledging occurs, on average, twenty-two days after hatching. While it is uncommon for the European Green Woodpecker to reuse the nest, many other bird species may take advantage of the nest for subsequent breeding seasons.