Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Woodpecker
Common name- Woodpecker
Scientific name- Picidae
Size- 13cm- 51cm
Distribution & Habitat-
Woodpeckers are distributed worldwide countries. They can be found in various habitats like Bamboo Forests, Coffee plantations, Temperate Forests, Woodlands, Scrublands, Forests edges, Oak and pine forests or mangrove areas, etc.
Appearance
Woodpeckers appear in diverse plumage colours and sizes. Males and females of every species have different plumage. The colours of Woodpeckers plumage include Olive, Pied, White, Red, Golden etc.
They have a crest on their crown.
The feet of Woodpeckers are known as ‘Zygodactyl’ feet. Woodpeckers have 4 toes but 3 are pointed in the forward direction and one of them is in the backward direction. This positioning of toes helps them to climb on vertical ways easily with a firm grasp.
The Beaks are very functional in Woodpeckers, too.
They have strong bills that can Drum in branches and drill. The beak has 3 layers of Keratin protein, a hollow cavity bone and a third layer of fibres that help them protection while excavation.
The tongue is one more functional organ for a woodpecker. It is large, that it is wrapped around the brain. This provides the brain with a cushion against drilling stress.
The tongue also consists of Bristles – hairy structures that can Grasp insects inside the tree holes.
Food-
Woodpeckers feed on the insects that live in the bark of trees, in rotten wood. They also feed on Butterflies, Spiders, bugs, Caterpillars, fruits, nuts, Crustaceans, Molluscs, etc.
Their feeding of insects that damage the wood, helps protect against infestation of these insects.
Breeding, Nesting –
Woodpeckers nests in cavities of Rotten wood. They dig a hole in banks, they also excavate cactus plants for nesting.
Nest is a round hole that fits the bird. While drilling for nesting the Woodchips are scattered around the nest. This helps them locate the nest.
The nest building requires a month. Both males & females built the nest, participate in Incubation for 11-14 days and brood the altricial (delicate) chicks, which need assistance.
The chicks fledge in 18-30 days.
Also See ⇒ Robin Facts