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| Green Woodpecker - Picus viridis |
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The Green Woodpecker is the largest of the three woodpeckers that breed in the UK. Widespread resident of the UK except for the far north & west of Scotland and Northern Ireland. |
| Indentification |
| Adult |
Adult Male - The Green Woodpecker is a large green & yellow bird with a bright red crown and moustachial stripe. The upperparts of the body are greeny - grey, it has a greeny - yellow rump & a short dark brown pointed tail. The eyes are bordered in shiny black.
Adult female - same as the male with without the red moustachial stripe. |
| Juvenile |
the juvenile has heavily black barred face & under parts and a less obvious moustache. |
| Size |
30 - 33cm |
| Bill |
strong, long thin silver- grey bill |
| Legs |
grey, short |
| Habitat |
the Green woodpecker can often be seen feeding from the ground, heaths, downlands & pastures. It climbs up tree trunks and branches and had become proficient at hanging from garden bird feeders in search for a regular food source. |
| Behaviour |
climbs, hangs, takes off & lands from vegetation, tables, feeders. |
| Flocking |
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| Flight |
undulating. |
| Voice |
loud laughing keu-keu-keu sound. |
| Breeding |
| Nest |
bare hole in trees |
| Eggs |
lays 5 - 7 eggs, white |
| Incubation period |
18 - 19 days |
| Fledgling |
18 - 21 days |
| Broods |
1; April - May. |
| Food |
insects & nuts. |
| UK breeding pairs |
15, 000 |
| Selection of popular products |
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