Songbird Saturday: Green Woodpecker

If the Great Spotted Woodpecker is the drummer of the woods, then the Green Woodpecker is the eccentric but charismatic vocalist.

The call of the Green Woodpecker is one of the most distinctive bird sounds in the British countryside, often heard before the bird itself is seen. Rather than relying heavily on drumming like many other woodpeckers, the Green Woodpecker is best known for its loud, ringing call – commonly described as a laughing or ‘yaffle’. This rolling, almost cackling sequence of notes carries over long distances, especially across open grassland, woodland edges, and parkland where the species typically feeds.

This ‘yaffle’ call is used in a variety of contexts, most prominently during the breeding season. Both males and females produce it, though it is often associated with territorial advertisement and pair communication. The call usually begins with a series of clear, sharp notes that accelerate into a rapid, laughing trill before trailing off. Its volume and distinctive rhythm make it easy to recognize, even for those unfamiliar with bird identification, and it often echoes through quiet rural landscapes in spring.

In addition to the main laughing call, green woodpeckers also give shorter, sharper 'kik' or 'kuk' notes. These are typically used as contact calls or mild alarm signals when the bird is disturbed. Compared to the exuberant ‘yaffle’, these calls are more abrupt and less musical, but still carry well. If a threat is perceived, the bird may become more vocal, repeating these sharper calls while flying away in its characteristic undulating flight.

Interestingly, because the green woodpecker spends much of its time feeding on the ground – particularly on ants – it relies less on the drumming behaviour that defines many other woodpecker species. As a result, its vocalizations take on greater importance for communication. The laughing call not only replaces drumming as a territorial signal but has also made the species a familiar auditory presence in the countryside, even when it remains hidden among grass or trees.