Picus

Picus is a genus of birds in the woodpecker family. It has representatives in Europe, Asia and North Africa.

These are large woodpeckers, typically with green upperparts. They are found in forests or more open woodland, and lay their white eggs in a tree hole nest, typically on a bed of wood chips.

Picus woodpeckers are primarily insect eaters, with several species specialising in taking ants or termites. Some species will also consume fruit or eggs. Insects are captured by a rapid outward flick of the long tongue and gummed to its tip by sticky saliva.

This genus is less completely arboreal than some other woodpecker groups, and its members often feed on the ground, attacking anthills or termitaries.

Species in taxonomic order

 * Lesser Yellownape, Picus chlorolophus
 * Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Picus puniceus
 * Japanese Green Woodpecker, Picus awokera
 * Black-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythropygius
 * Grey-headed Woodpecker, Picus canus
 * Levaillant's Woodpecker, Picus vaillantii
 * European Green Woodpecker, Picus viridis
 * Iberian Woodpecker, Picus sharpei
 * Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Picus squamatus
 * Streak-throated Woodpecker, Picus xanthopygaeus
 * Red-collared Woodpecker, Picus rabieri
 * Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Picus viridanus
 * Laced Woodpecker, Picus vittatus

Now in Chrysophlegma

 * Banded Woodpecker, Chrysophlegma miniaceus
 * Greater Yellownape, Chrysophlegma flavinucha
 * Checker-throated Woodpecker, Chrysophlegma mentalis