- Picus viridis
Identification
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis (Levaillant's Green Woodpecker P.vaillantii is included by some authors) RANGE Generally common and widespread over much of range. Breeds in Britain north to central Scotland, and from Iberia and France east to about 500E in Russia, also in Iran, Turkmenistan and Pakistan. 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 and also found in the Caucasus.
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 and Finland, Malta and the Balearics.
HABITAT Deciduous or mixed woodland, generally in more lowland areas than Grey-headed Woodpecker. Common in parks and large gardens, and also open areas with scattered trees, especially in winter. Usually solitary or in pairs, feeds mainly on the ground.
SUBSPECIES Nominate race is found over much of range replaced by the duller and greyer karelini in Italy, South-East Europe and South-West Asia. The Iberian race 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. Race innominatus is found in western Iran and bampurensis in Baluchistan.
Colwick, Nottinghamshire, UK. This is a female.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Picus viridis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
