Woodpeckers »
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.
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.
Part
I
