Green Woodpeckers in France
When the Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) is present in France, when it nests, and which native France plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in France
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 32 cm, 190 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect green woodpeckers in France
The Green Woodpecker lives in France all year round. Mild in the west and south; hard frosts in the north-east and mountains.
Oceanic in the west, continental in the east, Mediterranean along the south coast and Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in France
In France the Green Woodpecker usually nests April–June. Nest site: excavated tree hole. Clutches are 5–7 eggs, incubated for 19–20 days; chicks fledge after 18–21 days, and pairs raise 1 per year.
- The Green Woodpecker does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native France plants for green woodpeckers
Of the native plants we track for France, these 8 provide food the Green Woodpecker uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Mainly ants dug from lawns.
- Does not visit feeders — habitat and water are what bring it in.
- Leave lawns unsprayed to keep ants — its main food.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are green woodpeckers in France all year?
Yes — the Green Woodpecker is resident in France all year.
When do green woodpeckers nest in France?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 5–7 eggs, incubated for 19–20 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help green woodpeckers in France?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to France and provide food or cover the Green Woodpecker uses.
Green Woodpeckers in other countries
Other garden birds in France
Sources
- Green Woodpecker — RSPB bird guide
- Green Woodpecker — BTO BirdFacts
- Atlas des oiseaux de France métropolitaine — LPO
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.