RIP Dad ! Thought I would check the familyhistory and here is a snapshot:“’Professor Yaffle’, the wooden bookend character in the 1974 children’s animation series Bagpuss,21 was based loosely upon the green woodpecker.22 ‘Yaffle’ was among many English folk names for the European green woodpecker relating to its laughing call; others include laughing Betsey, yaffingale, yappingale and Jack Eikle. Other names, including rain-bird, weather cock and wet bird, suggest its supposed ability to bring on rain.2324 The species has been the subject of postage stamps from several countries.25 The European green woodpecker is associated with Woodpecker Cider, an image of the bird is used on the merchandise.26 The woodpecker was the totem of the Italic tribe of the Picentes,27 and features of the coat of arms and flag of the Italian region of the Marches. "
RIP Dad ! Thought I would check the familyhistory and here is a snapshot:“’Professor Yaffle’, the wooden bookend character in the 1974 children’s animation series Bagpuss,21 was based loosely upon the green woodpecker.22 ‘Yaffle’ was among many English folk names for the European green woodpecker relating to its laughing call; others include laughing Betsey, yaffingale, yappingale and Jack Eikle. Other names, including rain-bird, weather cock and wet bird, suggest its supposed ability to bring on rain.2324 The species has been the subject of postage stamps from several countries.25 The European green woodpecker is associated with Woodpecker Cider, an image of the bird is used on the merchandise.26 The woodpecker was the totem of the Italic tribe of the Picentes,27 and features of the coat of arms and flag of the Italian region of the Marches. "