European green woodpecker

The green woodpecker is a striking bird dressed in vibrant green feathers, with a ruby-red crown and a bold black 'moustache'. It lives across Europe and parts of western Asia, often spotted hopping on the ground hunting for ants. Males stand out with an extra splash of red in their facial markings.

• Males have a red patch in their black moustache stripe; females lack this detail.
• Its nickname 'yaffle' comes from its loud, laughing call.
• Unlike most woodpeckers, it often forages on the ground for ants.