Species Profile
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridis
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
5–7 years
Length
30–36 cm
Weight
180–220 g
Wingspan
40–42 cm
Migration
Resident
Also known as: Green Woodpecker, Yaffle, Eurasian Green Woodpecker
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Appearance
The European Green Woodpecker is a striking bird with predominantly green plumage on its back and wings, contrasting with a pale yellow rump. Its underparts are pale green to yellowish, with a distinctive red crown and nape.
Both sexes have red caps, but the malar area (moustache) is black, with a red centre in the male and a solid black in the female.
Juveniles are similar to adults but have barred underparts and less vibrant colouration overall.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Green
- Secondary
- Red
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
European Green Woodpeckers inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks, gardens, and orchards across much of Europe and parts of western Asia. They prefer areas with mature trees and open ground for foraging.
They are widely distributed in England and Wales in the UK, with some populations in southern Scotland. Their range has expanded northward in recent decades, possibly due to climate change.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Wales
Cambridgeshire
Rutland
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Bristol
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
Norfolk
West Midlands
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
European Green Woodpeckers primarily feed on ants, both adults and larvae, which they extract from the ground or tree bark using their long, sticky tongues. They also consume other insects, fruits, and seeds, especially during winter when ants are less accessible.
Unlike most Woodpeckers, foraging and feeding off the ground is pretty unique to the European Green Woodpecker.
Behaviour
European Green Woodpeckers are often seen foraging on the ground, using their long, sticky tongues to probe for ants, their primary food source. They have a distinctive undulating flight pattern and are known for their loud, laughing call. These birds are generally solitary but may form loose pairs during breeding season.
Calls & Sounds
The European Green Woodpecker's most distinctive call is a loud, descending series of notes often described as a 'yaffle' or laughing sound. It's typically rendered as 'kyu-kyu-kyu' or 'kleu-kleu-kleu'.
They also produce softer 'pik' calls during close interactions and gentle 'chuckle' sounds when alarmed.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for European Green Woodpeckers typically begins in April. Males attract females with their loud calls and drumming displays on resonant tree trunks or branches.
These woodpeckers excavate new nesting cavities each year in large trees, often choosing deciduous species. The female lays 4-6 glossy white eggs in the unlined cavity.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 19-20 days. The young fledge after 21-24 days but may remain dependent on their parents for several weeks.
Conservation
While the European Green Woodpecker is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving mature woodlands and promoting wildlife-friendly gardening practices to maintain suitable habitats and food sources.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive 'yaffle' call, which sounds like laughter
- Look for them on lawns or in open woodlands, often on the ground
- Observe tree trunks for characteristic oval-shaped feeding holes
- In the UK, check parks and gardens with mature trees
Did You Know?
- European Green Woodpeckers spend more time on the ground than other woodpecker species.
- Their tongues can extend up to 10 cm beyond the tip of their beak.
- Unlike many other woodpeckers, They rarely drum on trees for communication.
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