Green woodpecker

Latin name: Picus viridis

Description

Olive green upperparts, grayish underparts. Long red cap. The mustache is red in males and black in females (the only difference between males and females!).

Habitat
Widespread throughout Switzerland, from the plains to the forest edge, the Green Woodpecker particularly likes forest edges and well-structured semi-open landscapes (orchards, copses, wooded areas, and even built-up areas where a few old trees remain).

Behavior
Often perches vertically along a large tree trunk. Rather shy, it usually hides behind the trunk as soon as it feels observed, before flying away in a very undulating flight. Typical, loud call “kiuh-kiuh-kiuh-kiuh!”, like a snicker. Sedentary.

Reproduction
It digs its nest in the forest, particularly in deciduous or mixed stands, up to 15 meters high.

Diet
It feeds mainly on ants and other invertebrates, which it searches for on the ground or on tree trunks.

Observation period: All year round