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*''P. v. karelini'': which is duller and greyer than the nominate, occurs in [[Italy]], southeast [[Europe]] east to central [[Asia]]. | *''P. v. karelini'': which is duller and greyer than the nominate, occurs in [[Italy]], southeast [[Europe]] east to central [[Asia]]. | ||
*''P. v. innominatus'' is found in southwestern [[Iran]]. A further population described from southeast Iran as ''P. v. bampurensis'' is of uncertain status, and may be extinct.<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup> | *''P. v. innominatus'' is found in southwestern [[Iran]]. A further population described from southeast Iran as ''P. v. bampurensis'' is of uncertain status, and may be extinct.<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup> | ||
| − | *The Iberian | + | *The Iberian Green Woodpecker ''P''. (''v''.) ''sharpei'' is more distinct; the face is much greyer with black confined to lores and little or no barring on the underparts, moustachial stripe of male has much more red. It occurs in the [[Iberian Peninsula]] and the Pyrénées, and in many respects is intermediate between typical Green Woodpecker and Levaillant's Woodpecker.<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup> |
[[Image:Iberian Green Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Male, subspecies ''P. v. sharpei'', [[Clot de Galvany]], Spain<br />Photo by {{user|Mark+Etheridge|Mark Etheridge}}]] | [[Image:Iberian Green Woodpecker.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Male, subspecies ''P. v. sharpei'', [[Clot de Galvany]], Spain<br />Photo by {{user|Mark+Etheridge|Mark Etheridge}}]] | ||
Revision as of 17:26, 19 July 2014
- Picus viridis
Includes: Iberian Green Woodpecker
Identification
30-36 cm
- Dark green upper parts
- Yellowish-green under parts
- Red crown and nape
- Black face mask and moustachial stripe
- Yellow rump
- Black and white outer primaries
- Grey bill and feet
Sexes similar except male has a crimson centre to the moustache
Juvenile: duller and has whitish barred underparts
Variation
The Iberian race P. v. sharpei which lacks the black mask and moustache. It is now accepted as full species by IOC.[2]
Similar Species
Levaillant's Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker
Distribution
Generally common and widespread over much of its range; scarce, but increasing, on the northern fringes of its range. Breeds in Britain north to central Scotland, and from Iberia and France east to about 50 degrees east in Russia, also in the Caucasus, Iran and southwesternmost Turkmenistan. In the north found in coastal and southern parts of Norway and Sweden, Poland and the Baltic States. Occurs south to the north Mediterranean coast from southern Spain to Greece and Turkey.
Resident throughout range with only short-distance dispersal but may move further in the east as a result of more severe winter weather. Vagrants have been recorded in Ireland, Finland, Malta and the Balearics.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are three or four subspecies, depending on authority:[1]
- Nominate P. v. viridis is found over much of range, from Britain south to France, the Alps, northern Yugoslavia and Romania.
- P. v. karelini: which is duller and greyer than the nominate, occurs in Italy, southeast Europe east to central Asia.
- P. v. innominatus is found in southwestern Iran. A further population described from southeast Iran as P. v. bampurensis is of uncertain status, and may be extinct.[3]
- The Iberian Green Woodpecker P. (v.) sharpei is more distinct; the face is much greyer with black confined to lores and little or no barring on the underparts, moustachial stripe of male has much more red. It occurs in the Iberian Peninsula and the Pyrénées, and in many respects is intermediate between typical Green Woodpecker and Levaillant's Woodpecker.[3]
Habitat
Deciduous or mixed woodland, generally in more lowland areas than Grey-headed Woodpecker. Can be common in parks and large gardens, and also open areas with scattered trees, especially in winter.
Behaviour
Usually solitary or in pairs, feeds mainly on the ground, often 'star-gazes'.
Flight
Markedly undulating flight, caused by prolonged closure of wings.
Breeding
They drill out holes in trees for the nest.
Diet
Insects, primarily ants, which are captured by a rapid outward flick of the long tongue, gummed to its tip by sticky saliva. Birds from this species can often be seen searching for and eating ants on the ground (a behaviour shared by several other woodpeckers, including other green woodpeckers, wrynecks, and flickers).
Vocalisation
Call: A loud plue, plue, plue, which sounds like a laugh, or "yaffle", from which it gets the country name. The alarm call is a truncated variant of the advertising call.
<flashmp3>Picus viridis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2013. IOC World Bird Names (version 3.5). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 2002. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 7: Jacamars to Woodpeckers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334375
- Avibase
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition ISBN 0 00 219900 9
- AvianWeb
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Eurasian Green Woodpecker. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Green_Woodpecker
External Links
