The European Green Woodpecker is one of Britain’s most distinctive woodland and garden birds, easily recognised by its bright green plumage, red crown and loud laughing call. Often spotted feeding on lawns or open grassland in search of ants, this larger woodpecker spends more time on the ground than many of its relatives. Bold, colourful and unmistakable, the Green Woodpecker is a favourite among birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts across the UK.
Common Name: European Green Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Picus viridis
Bird Family: Picidae (Woodpeckers)
Size: 30–36 cm
Wingspan: 40–45 cm
Weight: 150–250 g
UK Status: Resident
Primary Habitat: Woodland edges, parkland, gardens with lawns
Diet: Ants, insects, larvae
Lifespan: 5–7 years
Conservation Status: Green (Least Concern)
Best Seen: Spring and summer
Garden Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
General Information
The European Green Woodpecker is one of Britain’s most distinctive woodland birds, instantly recognisable by its bright green body, yellow rump and striking red crown. Unlike many other woodpeckers, it spends much of its time feeding on the ground, using its long sticky tongue to extract ants and insects from lawns and soil.
Its loud, laughing call — often described as a “yaffle” — is usually the first clue that one is nearby. This unmistakable sound echoes through woodland edges, parks and large gardens, particularly in spring when birds are more vocal.
Though not always easy to spot, the green woodpecker’s bold colouring and unusual feeding habits make it one of the most memorable birds encountered beyond the typical garden feeder.
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There are three different woodpeckers in the UK.
- Great Spotted Woodpecker: The most common and frequently seen in woodlands, parks, and even garden bird feeders. They are boldly patterned in black and white with a bright red patch under their tails. Males also have a red patch on the back of the neck. They are famous for their loud, rapid “drumming” against hollow branches in the spring.
- Green Woodpecker (featured here): Our largest woodpecker, striking in olive-green and yellow with a vibrant red cap. They are quite shy and spend much of their time on the ground probing for ants with their long, sticky tongues. Instead of drumming, they are famous for their loud, echoing, “laughing” call, known as a “yaffle”.
- Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: The smallest (about the size of a sparrow) and least common of the three. They are mostly black and white but are quite elusive, tending to feed high up in the tree canopy.
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