Wildlife

Green Woodpecker Welfare in Grassland and Woodland Edge

The green woodpecker is Britain's largest woodpecker, specialist in foraging for ants on short grassland, facing welfare pressures from grassland improvement and loss of ant colonies.

Key Facts

UK's largest woodpecker at pigeon size
Feeds almost exclusively on ants using its enormously long sticky tongue
Requires both mature woodland for nesting and short grassland for foraging
UK breeding population around 52,000 pairs
Has an undulating flight and distinctive laughing yaffle call

Welfare Considerations

Improvement of permanent grassland through reseeding and intensive fertiliser use destroys the ant colonies that green woodpeckers depend on for food. Extreme rainfall events can flood ant colonies and remove food availability for extended periods. Nest site availability in mature woodland is generally adequate, but foraging habitat is the limiting factor.

What You Can Do

Maintain unfertilised permanent grassland with diverse ant species
Support agri-environment schemes promoting low-intensity permanent grassland
Donate to RSPB and Wildlife Trust grassland conservation work
Report green woodpecker territories to BTO Breeding Bird Survey