Birds
Name this bird:
Answer
Green Woodpecker
Explanation
The Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) is recognized by its green upperparts, bright yellow rump, red crown, and dark mask through the eye; males show a red “moustache.” It’s larger and greener than the black-and-white Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, and unlike the Grey-headed Woodpecker it has a bold facial mask rather than a plain grey head.
A ground-feeding ant specialist, it uses an exceptionally long, sticky tongue to raid anthills in parks, orchards, and open woodland. Its loud, laughing call—nicknamed the “yaffle”—is a great memory hook: think “green bird that laughs” to recall Green Woodpecker.