# Woodpecker (*Picidae*) Woodpeckers are birds with strong beaks that they use to peck holes in trees. They have special shock-absorbing skulls to protect their brains while drumming. Woodpeckers are known for their rhythmic drumming sounds in the forest. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Woodpecker](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424666/objects/6517.jpg) ## Appearance The Woodpecker has striking plumage, often featuring bold black and white patterns with splashes of red or yellow on its head. It has a strong, chisel-like beak and stiff tail feathers that help it brace against tree trunks, distinguishing it from many other birds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Piciformes - **Family:** Picidae ## Interesting facts - A woodpecker’s tongue can be so long it wraps around its skull! - Some woodpeckers drum on metal objects to find a mate! - Their old nesting holes provide homes for many other forest creatures! - Woodpeckers can 'hear' insects moving inside trees! ## Special abilities - **Shock Absorber Skull:** Woodpeckers have a specially designed skull that acts like a helmet, protecting their brain from powerful pecking impacts. - **Sticky Harpoon Tongue:** Woodpeckers can extend a long, barbed, sticky tongue to spear and pull insects from deep within tree crevices. - **Clinging Feet:** Woodpeckers have unique 'zygodactyl' feet with two toes facing forward and two backward, helping them grip tree bark firmly. - **Tail Prop:** Woodpeckers use their stiff tail feathers like a tripod, bracing against trees for stability while pecking. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-50 cm - **Wingspan:** 15-80 cm - **Weight:** 0.007-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-12 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-8 - **Incubation:** 10-18 days ## Diet & Feeding Woodpeckers mainly eat insects found in wood, but also enjoy seeds and fruits. - **Primary Foods:** beetle larvae, ants, grubs, tree sap, acorns, berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — Preys on adult woodpeckers. - **Shelter:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — Uses abandoned woodpecker cavities for nesting. - **Depends on:** [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) — Provides insects, sap, and acorns for food. - **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — A primary insect food source for many woodpeckers. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Enjoy watching woodpeckers from a safe distance to avoid scaring them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Woodpecker? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Woodpecker? 8-50 cm ### What is Woodpecker's wingspan? 15-80 cm ### How much does Woodpecker weigh? 0.007-0.6 kg ### How long does Woodpecker live? 4-12 years ### How fast can Woodpecker move? 35 km/h ### What does Woodpecker eat? Woodpeckers mainly eat insects found in wood, but also enjoy seeds and fruits. ### Where is Woodpecker usually found? Forests ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Woodpecker: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/woodpecker)