Animal Profiles (Part 3)

Green Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Picus Viridis

Size: 30-36 cm

Habitat: Parks, woodlands, farmlands, large parks, heaths and coastal dunes.

Description/Info: Sometimes called a ‘Yaffle’. It is also the largest woodpecker (out of 3) in Britain. It is one of the most colourful birds in all of Britain. It has a dark Green plumage, red cap and a yellowish underbelly. Green Woodpeckers have a loud ‘laughing’ call and this is why sometimes it is called a ‘Yaffle’. To beginners (bird watchers), the Green Woodpecker seems to be a tropical bird.

Behaviour: When pecking on the bark of a tree, it alights on a trunk or bough and works upwards with a diagonal or spiral course in quick jerky jumps or runs, halting occasionally with head drawn back and bill held at right angles to its body. As it proceeds it taps the bark smartly, probably sounding it for hollows made by its prey.

Diet: Insects, especially Ants

Conservation Status: Not threatend

Reproductive Biology: Usually the nest is built up on a tall tree. Unlike other nest, which are made from sticks, mud etc. the woodpecker creates a whole in the bark of a tree. The female lays 5-7 eggs and hatch in late April or early May.

Brown Rat

Scientific Name: Rattus norvegicus

Size: 22-26cm, 200-400g

Habitat: Everywhere. Rats inhabit every continent on Earth, even Antarctica. (Prefers colder climates)

Description/Info: larger than the black rat, thicker build, shorter ears and tail, coarser fur. Reddish Brown fur and pale on the belly.

Behaviour: Social animal that live in groups and are nocturnal. Groups can be as big as 200 strong. The hierarchy is not judged on age but on size and weight. They sometimes cache their food.

Diet: They are omnivorous, but prefer starch and protein-rich food e.g. Cereals. Meat, fish, vegetables, weeds, earthworms, crustaceans, nuts, fruits and human leftovers.

Conservation Status: Not threatened

Reproductive Biology: Peak of breeding is in spring and fall. 52 litters per year. Each consisting of 12-22 young.

Great Tit

Scientific Name: Parus Major

Size: 14 cm

Habitat: Parks, gardens, meadows, woodlands, hedges

Description/Info: Largest British Tit. It has a black crown, nape and throat. It cheeks are white and their breast and bellies are yellow.

Behaviour: Resident throughout much of its range, but they do show seasonal altitudinal migration in some mountain areas and local migration in others. They are occasionally territorial throughout year, however they may join hierarchically-organized, mixed-species flocks outside of breeding season. Their songs frequent, simple, and variable, with each male having several repertoires.

Diet: Insects, Larvae, Spiders, nuts, seeds, berries, fruits

Conservation Status: Not threatened, growing

Reproductive Biology: They have a cup-shaped nest built from grass and moss usually in a tree hole or nest box

Starling

Scientific Name: Sturnus Vulgaris

Size: 21-22 cm

Habitat: Open country, open woodlands, parks, gardens, urban and suburban areas

Description/Info: The Starling has a purple/green/ black plumage made up with white spots. Their long thin bills change colour. In the winter time the colour is black, however during nesting time their beak is yellow.

Behaviour: They are aggressive competitors when it comes to competing with woodpeckers for nest boxes, as well as for niches in buildings. They roost as flocks in can reach to a million individuals making it one of Britain’s most amazing wildlife spectacles.

Diet: Insects, arthropods, seeds, grains, fruits

Conservation Status: Not threatened

Reproductive Biology: Clutch of 6-8 pale blue eggs which are incubated by the female for 11 days. They are feed by both parents and are fully fledged after 20-21 days.