Woodpecker
Woodpeckers and their relatives are in the Picidae family. Family
members that have been spotted in North America include woodpeckers,
flickers, sapsuckers and even a Wryneck! These birds are especially
adapted for finding their meals on trunks of trees. Their skulls are
extra thick so they are not injured by their constant pecking on trees,
while their beaks are sharpened into points to peck holes and reach
inside to get their food. Additionally many times there are small
feathers over their nostrils so they do not accidently inhale wood
chips. Along with long beaks, members of this bird family usually have
long long tongues with a tiny barb at the end, allowing them to grab
onto insects in their never-ending quest for food.Look for these bird to
have stout and stiff tails that help prop them up as they cling to tree
trunks and peck away.
» There are about 200 species of woodpecker, ranging from the tiny tropical piculets to the big imperial woodpecker.
» Woodpeckers have short legs and strong claws for clinging to tree trunks, while unusually stiff tail feathers serve as props when climbing.
» Length: 10 inches
» Wing Span: 16 inches
» Mating season: Spring and summer. Red-bellied woodpeckers usually nest 2 or 3 times during a season.
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