European Green Woodpecker
VU

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridis

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_green_woodpecker

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The European Green Woodpecker faces significant population declines across much of its range due to intensive agricultural practices that reduce ant colonies, its primary food source. Climate change is altering the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling ants, while urbanization fragments the mature woodland habitats essential for nesting. Severe winter weather events, becoming more frequent with climate instability, cause periodic population crashes as the species cannot access frozen ground-dwelling prey.

Threat summary

Habitat

The European Green Woodpecker inhabits mature deciduous and mixed woodlands, parklands, and wooded farmland with substantial ant populations. It requires areas with both suitable nesting trees and adjacent open ground or grassland for foraging on its preferred prey of ground-dwelling ants.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is European Green Woodpecker classified as Vulnerable?
European Green Woodpecker is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The European Green Woodpecker faces significant population declines across much of its range due to intensive agricultural practices that reduce ant colonies, its primary food source. Climate change is altering the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling ants, while urbanization fragments the mature woodland habitats essential for nesting. Severe winter weather events, becoming more frequent with climate instability, cause periodic population crashes as the species cannot access frozen ground-dwelling prey.
Where does European Green Woodpecker live?
European Green Woodpecker occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to European Green Woodpecker?
The main threats to European Green Woodpecker are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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