Green Woodpeckers in Switzerland
When the Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) is present in Switzerland, when it nests, and which native Switzerland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Switzerland
- 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 Switzerland
The Green Woodpecker lives in Switzerland all year round. Snowy winters in the mountains; milder on the Swiss plateau and around the lakes.
Temperate-continental in the plateau, Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in Switzerland
In Switzerland 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 Switzerland plants for green woodpeckers
Of the native plants we track for Switzerland, 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.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Windfalls sustain thrushes and Fieldfares into winter.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
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 Switzerland all year?
Yes — the Green Woodpecker is resident in Switzerland all year.
When do green woodpeckers nest in Switzerland?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 5–7 eggs, incubated for 19–20 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help green woodpeckers in Switzerland?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Bramble, Wild cherry, Crab apple, Silver birch are native to Switzerland and provide food or cover the Green Woodpecker uses.
Green Woodpeckers in other countries
Other garden birds in Switzerland
Sources
- Green Woodpecker — RSPB bird guide
- Green Woodpecker — BTO BirdFacts
- Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas — Swiss Ornithological Institute
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.