Japanese Green Woodpecker

Overview

The Japanese green woodpecker (Picus awokera) is a medium-sized woodpecker endemic to Japan, closely related to the European green woodpecker. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable and common population.

Identification

• Approximately 30 cm in length with bright green wings and tail, a grey head, neck, and chest, and white underparts with black markings.
• Features a yellow bill, light grey legs and feet, and red irises, with a red or black mustache and crown.
• Vocalisations include a loud, whip-crack-like 'pijo', a two-syllable 'ket, ket', and long, fast drumrolls.

Habitat

Found across most major and some smaller islands of Japan, occupying open mixed forests in the north and warm-temperate evergreen forests in the south, as well as parks and gardens. The species avoids older coniferous monocultures and is restricted to hilly landscapes and lower mountain regions, typically between 300 and 1400 m altitude, though occasionally found in lowlands or up to 2000 m.

Diet

Forages primarily in the middle tree layer between 2 and 10 m on larger branches, but also on twigs and the ground. Diet consists of ants from the genera Lasius, Formica, Camponotus and Crematogaster, alongside bugs, beetles, beetle larvae, spiders, fruits, berries, seeds, resin, and nectar.

Did you know?

The scientific name Picus awokera is a direct reference to the Japanese common name of the species, aogera.