Iberian Green Woodpecker (Picus sharpei)

OTHER NAMES: Iberian Woodpecker

Latin Etymology: Picus ("woodpecker") sharpei (named for Orithologist Dr Richard Bowdler Sharpe)

Adult female Iberian Green Woodpecker (Picus sharpei) at Parque Oeste, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 180-220g  /  Length: 31-33cm  /  Wingspan: 45-51cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern  

The Iberian Woodpecker is a close relation of the more widespread Green Woodpecker, which until recently it was considered part of the same species.  Visually, it differs in that it lacks the black mask that Green Woodpeckers normally have.  It seems to be fairly common in the forested parks of Madrid, I heard them calling or caught glimpses on a number of occasions before this very obliging individual landed on a tree in front of me where I could get clear views.

Related Species:
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Picus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Pito reál ("Royal Whistle")

Fairly common resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen at Parque Oeste and heard at El Retiro 
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Heard at El Pardo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)

OTHER NAMES: Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Green Woodpecker, Yaffle
Latin Etymology: Picus ("woodpecker") viridis ("green")

Adult male Green Woodpecker (subspecies P. v. viridis) at Alexandra Palace, London - April 2017

Featured Subspecies: Picus viridis viridis
Weight: 138-250g  /  Length: 30-36cm  /  Wingspan: 45-51cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The green woodpecker is perhaps the easiest of the woodpeckers to see - it can be frequently found feeding on the ground in the open as it eats insects in short grass. It is also easiyl separated from the other two woodpeckers on the basis of it's drastically different colouration and larger size. Should be relatively easy to both find and photograph for most people.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Picus 
Subspecies: P. v. viridis, P. v. karelini, P. v. innominatus, P. v. bampurensis  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An widespread breeding species (52,000 pairs)

 - Seen at Rutland Water, Regent's Park, Walkton and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-Canto

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