European green woodpecker European green woodpecker The European green woodpecker ("Picus viridis") is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. There are four subspecies and it occurs in most parts of Europe and in western Asia. All have green upperparts, paler yellowish underparts, a red crown and moustachial stripe which has a red centre in males but is all black in females. The European green woodpecker spends much of its time feeding on ants on the ground and does not often 'drum' on trees like other woodpecker species. It is a shy bird but usually draws attention with its loud calls. A nest
The Woodpecker Song The Woodpecker Song "The Woodpecker Song" ("Reginella Campagnola") is originally an Italian song. The music was written by in 1939, while the Italian lyrics were written by Bruno Cherubini (pseudonym "C. Bruno"). The English lyrics were written by Harold Adamson. The song became a hit in 1940, recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, The Andrews Sisters, and Kate Smith in 1940. The Glenn Miller recording on RCA Bluebird featuring Marion Hutton on vocals reached #1 on the "Billboard" charts in 1940. was a satirical version for the Italian dictator Mussolini with lyrics by Yiorgos Economidis,who also recorded the song.