Grey-faced Woodpecker

Adventure step • Meet the species

Overview

The Grey-faced Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker distinguished by its grey-green plumage and characteristic grey face. Males have a red patch on the forehead, while females lack this red marking. Both sexes display a yellowish-green rump that is clearly visible in flight. With a length of 25-28 centimeters, the Grey-faced Woodpecker is somewhat smaller than the European Green Woodpecker but larger than the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Its bill is shorter and less robust than that of the Green Woodpecker, reflecting differences in foraging strategies. The Grey-faced Woodpecker thrives in mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, particularly where there are many trees with softer wood such as aspen, birch, and alder. Unlike many other woodpeckers, the Grey-faced Woodpecker spends much of its time on the ground searching for ants, which form a large part of its diet. It also shows a preference for forest areas near water and favors natural, open woodland environments over dense plantations. During spring, the male's persistent call 'kew-kew-kew-kew' that gradually decreases in volume can be heard, a sound distinctly different from the Green Woodpecker's laughing call. During the breeding season, the Grey-faced Woodpecker excavates its nest hole in dead or dying trees, often at relatively low heights between 2-6 meters from the ground. Both male and female participate in the excavation work, which can take 2-4 weeks to complete. The female typically lays 5-9 white, glossy eggs that both parents incubate in turns. After hatching, the young are fed by both parents and leave the nest after approximately 23-27 days. The family often stays together for several weeks after the young have fledged. The Grey-faced Woodpecker has a large distribution range extending from Scandinavia through Russia to eastern Asia, Japan, and China. In the Nordic countries, it is relatively common in Sweden and Finland but more scarce in Norway. The population is relatively stable, although the species is sensitive to intensive forestry that removes dead trees and reduces the availability of ant nests. The Grey-faced Woodpecker plays an important ecological role by creating nest holes that are later used by many other species such as starlings, flycatchers, and tits.