The Green woodpecker (Picus viridis) is probably the best known, though not always the commonest of the European woodpecker species. It occurs in most parts of Europe, and in western Asia. Though a large and heavy bird it has an easy, bouncing 'undulating' flight. Adult males and females are very alike – dark green above and yellowish green below and with crown and nape crimson, but in the male the centre of the moustachial black stripe is crimson.
