Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)

Quick Facts

Scientific Name: Picus viridis
Family: Picidae
Size: 30-36 cm (12-14 inches)
Wingspan: 45-51 cm (18-20 inches)
Weight: 180-220 g (6.3-7.8 oz)

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Least Concern
Population Trend: Stable in the UK, with some regional fluctuations

Worldwide Distribution

The Green Woodpecker is found primarily in:

Throughout most of Europe (except far northern regions)
United Kingdom (widespread, absent from northern Scotland)
Parts of western Asia and North Africa
Resident bird with no regular migration, though some local movements occur

Spotting Difficulty Rating

🔍🔍 (2/5 – Moderate)

Distinctive appearance but often wary
More often heard than seen
Frequently feeds on ground in open areas
Unmistakable laughing call helps location
Undulating flight pattern when seen flying

Habitat and Behavior

The Green Woodpecker is the largest of the three woodpecker species breeding in Britain and is unmistakable with its bright green back, yellow rump, and crimson crown. Males can be distinguished from females by their red “moustache” stripe, which is black in females. Unlike other woodpeckers, the Green Woodpecker is primarily a ground feeder, specializing in hunting ants and other ground-dwelling insects.

Their characteristic loud, laughing “yaffle” call has earned them the country nickname “yaffle” or “laughing bird.” While they do occasionally drum on trees during the breeding season, they do so less frequently and less loudly than other woodpecker species. Their drumming is also shorter and softer than that of other woodpeckers.

Green Woodpeckers have specially adapted tongues that can extend up to 10cm beyond the bill tip, with backward-facing barbs and sticky saliva perfect for extracting ants from their nests. They excavate nest holes in trees, typically selecting soft or partially decayed wood, and will sometimes reuse the same nest hole for several years. They are particularly fond of ant-rich habitats such as parkland, orchards, woodland edges, and lawns.

Cultural History

The Green Woodpecker has featured prominently in European folklore for centuries. In British rural traditions, it was often considered a rain prophet, with its laughing call believed to predict approaching rain – giving rise to folk names like “rain bird” and “weather cock.” An old countryside saying goes: “When the yaffle laughs, the rain comes soon after.”

In Welsh mythology, the Green Woodpecker was sometimes associated with the forest spirits and was considered a messenger between the human world and the otherworld due to its ability to move between earth (ground feeding) and sky (nesting in trees). Some Celtic traditions held that hearing a Green Woodpecker near a sacred grove was a sign of the presence of forest deities.

Medieval herbalists and folk healers sometimes used parts of Green Woodpeckers in remedies, particularly for ailments of the tongue and throat – a connection likely drawn from the bird’s remarkable tongue. In some rural communities, it was believed that carrying a Green Woodpecker feather would protect against lightning strikes during thunderstorms.

Gilbert White, the famous 18th-century naturalist, devoted considerable attention to Green Woodpeckers in his “Natural History of Selborne,” noting their ant-eating behavior and territorial calls.

Fun Facts

👅 Their tongues can extend to twice the length of their bill and wrap around their skull when retracted

🐜 A single Green Woodpecker can eat thousands of ants in one day

🌧️ Their “laughing” call often increases before rain, giving scientific credence to their folk name “rain bird”

🏠 They create nesting holes that later provide homes for many other species

🦶 Unlike most birds, they have two toes pointing forward and two backward (zygodactyl feet), perfect for climbing

Best Places to Spot a Green Woodpecker in the UK

Richmond Park, London
New Forest, Hampshire
Knepp Estate, West Sussex
Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
RSPB Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex
Parklands and golf courses throughout southern England

Recommended Viewing Tips

Listen for their distinctive laughing “yaffle” call
Scan open grassy areas near woodland edges
Look for their undulating flight between trees
Morning and early evening offer best viewing opportunities
Check anthills and lawns where they feed
Remain still and quiet as they can be wary of human presence
Winter can be a good time to spot them as they become more visible when feeding

Conservation Notes

While Green Woodpecker populations are currently stable, they benefit from:

Preservation of old trees with dead wood suitable for nesting
Reduced use of pesticides on lawns and grassland that would kill their ant prey
Maintaining open woodland edges and glades
Protection of traditional orchards and parkland
Creating ant-friendly environments by leaving some areas of grassland unmanaged

Remember: Always observe wildlife responsibly and respect their natural habitats.