Green woodpecker

The green woodpecker is the largest of the British woodpeckers and is found across Europe.

They are very fond of ants and unlike the other common European woodpeckers, the great and lesser spotted, they drum, but as well they feed on the ground.

These woodpeckers are mainly green in colour and have a bright red eye stipe.  Their closest relative is the almost identicle grey-headed woodpecker, which, unlike the green is not found in Britain.

Left:green woodpecker being held.