UK Wildlife

Green Woodpecker Grassland and Woodland Welfare

The green woodpecker is the largest UK woodpecker and distinctive for its diet of ants, spending much time foraging on grassland rather than in trees.

Key Facts

Green woodpeckers eat mainly ants, using their long sticky tongue to extract them
Their laughing 'yaffle' call is one of the most distinctive woodland sounds
UK population around 52,000 breeding pairs, relatively stable
Dependent on short grassland near woodland for ant colony foraging
Nest in excavated tree cavities, requiring mature trees with soft timber

Welfare Considerations

Green woodpeckers face threats from loss of anthill-rich grassland adjacent to woodland. Intensive grassland management destroys ant colonies. Cold winters with prolonged snow cover make ant foraging impossible, causing starvation.

What You Can Do

Maintain or create rough grassland with ant colonies near woodland
Avoid use of pesticides that harm soil invertebrates including ants
Support agri-environment schemes that create woodpecker-friendly habitats