Woodpecker Facts

The black-headed woodpecker is a noisy bird with a loud, squawking call in flight, when its bright red rump contrasts with the green body and red-capped black head.
Woodpeckers are closely related to the colorful toucans and jacamars that live in tropical rainforests.
Woodpeckers, toucans, barbets, jacamars and honeyguides all have two toes on each foot pointing forwards and two pointing backwards. Their toes help them cling to trees and branches.
Woodpeckers use their powerful bills to bore into tree trunks to get at insects. They spear the insects with their incredibly long tongues.
Gila woodpeckers escape the desert heat by nesting inside giant saguaro cacti (where it can be 30°C cooler).
Redhead woodpeckers drill holes in trees and use them to store acorns for winter — wedging them in very tightly so that squirrels cannot steal them.
Woodpeckers claim their territory not by singing, but by hammering their bills against trees.
Honeyguides lead honey badgers to bees’ nests. The badger opens them to get the honey and the bird gets beeswax.
When toucans sleep, they turn their heads around and lay their bills down their backs
At 23 cm, the toucan’s bill is much longer than its body.

This entry is filed under Interesting Facts.