Bird 🐦
🐦
Picus viridis
| Size | 31–33 cm Similar in size to a Jackdaw |
|---|---|
| Weight | 150–220 g About the weight of a large apple |
| Lifespan | 5 years |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Males have a red centre to the black moustache stripe; females have a plain black moustache |
| Habitat | Open deciduous woodland, parkland, old orchards, heathland with ant hills |
| Best time | Year-round; most vocal in spring |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
The Green Woodpecker rarely drums like other woodpeckers — instead it spends most of its time on the ground, using its incredibly long sticky tongue to extract ants from their nests
The Green Woodpecker rarely drums like other woodpeckers — instead it spends most of its time on the ground, using its incredibly long sticky tongue to extract ants from their nests
More for experts
Its tongue is so extraordinarily long — up to 10 cm — that when retracted it coils around the skull, much like the Great Spotted Woodpecker. It can extend it 5 cm beyond the bill tip
Often confused with
Great Spotted Woodpecker (black and white, red patches), Grey-headed Woodpecker (rare — plain grey head)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (black and white, red patches), Grey-headed Woodpecker (rare — plain grey head)