Woodpeckers in the UK

[wolfmanjak]

Recently I have been lucky enough to have a pair of woodpeckers visit my garden, I don`t know the exact type but they have a red streak on their heads, they spend hours pecking the lawn, are they after some type of insects ? any information gratefully received, I live on the outskirts of a large city in the UK

[redman41]

It sounds like the Green Woodpecker, but you have also got Great Spotted and Lesser spotted here in UK

[redman41]

Good Pics here

http://www.nigelspenc...oodpecker-gallery.htm

[Milvus]

Both Lesser and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers have red on their heads.
Yes they are looking for insects in your lawn.
Have a look at www.rspb.org.uk to get some more details

[Andyvon]

I've seen Green Woodpeckers plodding around the lawn too frequently prodding their beaks into the lawn.

[ttfn]

They love peanuts too - try putting up a bird feeder - they can be on there for 20 mins at a time

[tamborine]

I have both colors and thought the black was female & green male ? They peck at insects on fruit trees round here.

[agardner09]

Two separate species (1) green - all green with red crest (2) spotted, lesser and greater - black, white and red. The green tends to be more shy, the lesser spotted rarer so my money is on the greater spotted, often visits gardens and loves bird feeders. If you are lucky they might even bring the kids at this time of year.