The Green Woodpecker is the largest of the three woodpeckers that breed in Britain. It has a heavy-looking body, short tail and a strong, long bill. It's green on its upperparts with a paler belly, bright yellow rump and red on the top of its head. The black 'moustache' has a red centre in males.
Green Woodpecker Identification
Length: 31cm.
This woodpecker can be distinguished by its green plumage, which is vivid on the upper parts and paler on the under parts. The crown is red and the rump is yellow. Its moustachial stripe is red in the male and black in the female. The youngsters are paler.
Their tail is short and they have a strong pointed bill. They climb up tree-trunks where they move in jerky hops, hunting for food, supported by their tail feathers, which are held down against the trunk. The Green Woodpecker will also feed off the ground. Their flight is very distinctive, with spells of undulating flight with folded wings alternating with every third or fourth wing beat.
This bird is not very sociable and lives alone, except during the breeding season. During courtship the male pursues the female around a tree trunk. When adopting a defensive attitude, the male sways its head from side to side, with its crest erect and its wings and tail spread. Unlike many other woodpeckers it only drums in spring.
Green Woodpecker Call
A loud, ringing peal of laughter.
Green Woodpecker Reproduction
Breeding starts from late April onwards. The nest is excavated in tree trunks and the entrance is generally elliptical. It will lay between five and seven oval white eggs per clutch. Incubation is carried out by both parents for eighteen or nineteen days and the young are reared by both parents. They are fed on regurgitated food.
Green Woodpecker Habitat
Lives in deciduous forest, parks, thinly wooded areas and along hedgerows. At Ark Wildlife, we sell woodpecker nesting boxes which encourage natural nesting habits.
Green Woodpecker Food
Natural Food Mainly the larvae of insects, which live under bark. Also ants, berries and other plants.
Where to Feed
Feeders – Not suitable
Table – Not suitable
Ground Feed – Scatter food in the open
