19 January 2025
The Eurasian inexperienced woodpecker (Picus viridis) is a bit uncommon. As an alternative of drilling bushes he spends most of his time on the bottom, poking his beak within the soil.
That’s as a result of he …
Predominantly [eats] ants, mainly meadow-dwelling species of genera Formica (winter) and Lasius (spring to autumn); typically, bigger ant species most popular. …
Makes use of invoice to brush away moss, lifeless leaves, different particles, or snow; pecks funnel-shaped holes as much as 12 cm (4.7 in) deep in floor, and procures prey with motion of the very lengthy tongue; such holes could also be exploited in prolonged and repeated visits. When snow cowl heavy, can dig tunnels virtually 1m (greater than 3 ft) lengthy to succeed in prey.
About That Tongue: When Shaun Robson in Dorset, England frightened that inexperienced woodpeckers had been disappearing from his space, Jason Miller (@jasonmillerart) answered with a video that proved they’re nonetheless round. Are you able to hear the inexperienced woodpecker murmuring?
Hello Shaun, this one picked up close to Canford Heath on a safety digital camera pic.twitter.com/PzgqEWFXNw
— jason miller (@jasonmillerart) January 3, 2024
embedded video from Jason Miller Jason Miller @jasonmillerart on X (Twitter)
These traits could remind you of a North American woodpecker. Although not carefully associated, our northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) additionally forages on the bottom for ants and shouts within the spring.
… and he murmurs “wika wika wika” together with his woman. (Notice: Within the audio under you’ll additionally hear the chattering of an upset wren.)
