Green woodpecker – (Picus viridis)

The European green woodpecker (Picus viridis) is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. All have green upperparts, paler yellowish underparts, a red crown and moustachial stripe which has a red centre in males but is all black in females.

The European green woodpecker spends much of its time feeding on ants on the ground and does not often ‘drum’ on trees like other woodpecker species. It is a shy bird but usually draws attention with its loud calls. A nest hole is excavated in a tree; four to six eggs are laid which hatch after 19–20 days.

The European green woodpecker measures 30–36 cm in length with a 45–51 cm wingspan. Both sexes are green above and pale yellowish green below, with yellow rump and red crown and nape; the moustachial stripe has a red centre in the male but is solid black in the female.

Although the European green woodpecker is shy and wary, it is usually its loud calls, known as yaffling, which first draw attention. It ‘drums’ rarely (a soft, fast roll), but often gives a noisy kyü-kyü-kyück while flying.

Common in the forest on dryland near the Danube Delta.

photo : Mihai BACIU