Meet the Green Woodpecker

The Green Woodpecker is one of the most eye-catching birds you might be lucky enough to spot in the garden or nearby woods. Known for its vibrant green body, bold yellow rump and a splash of red on the head, this is the largest woodpecker species found in the UK. Unlike its Great Spotted cousins featured regularly in our Meet the Birds page, the Green Woodpecker brings a different energy, often revealed not by sight, but by sound—its unmistakable laughing call, known as a yaffle.

Pic of green woodpecker first spotted July 2025 in South West England

Feeding and Foraging

Green Woodpeckers have a particular fondness for ants. In fact, ants form the majority of their diet, and they are frequently seen on lawns or in meadows, probing the ground with their powerful beaks. Their long, sticky tongue, which can stretch remarkably far, is perfect for pulling ants and larvae from deep nests. This ground-based foraging habit makes them unique among woodpeckers. If you see a Green Woodpecker pecking at your garden turf, it’s likely they’re hard at work.

Nesting and Breeding

Much like our well-documented Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpeckers excavate their own nest cavities in trees. They prefer older or decaying trunks where the wood is soft enough to chisel but still sturdy enough to protect their young. The neat circular entrance leads to a chamber that takes days to carve. Both male and female take part in the nesting process and share parenting duties until the young fledge.

Behaviour and Personality

Unlike the Great Spotted Woodpecker, the Green Woodpecker rarely drums. It communicates mostly through its loud call, especially during spring when territories are marked and pair bonds are reinforced. They are generally solitary and cautious, and their flight pattern is undulating—flapping in bursts followed by short glides.

At Woodpecker Diaries, Green Woodpeckers are occasional stars—less common than our regulars but no less captivating. Their presence adds richness to the stories we tell. If you happen to hear a yaffle in the distance or catch a flash of olive green in flight, take note. There’s a good chance a Green Woodpecker has made a rare appearance in your corner of the woods.

Stay tuned to our Video Diaries to see if one of these remarkable birds turns up next.