Dawn Chorus: The Wild World of Woodpeckers

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Sunday September 30, 2018 · 6:00 AM PDT

2018/09/30 · 06:00

I think I can say with some confidence that everyone, even non-birders, knows what woodpeckers are. Who hasn’t heard that rat-ta-tat-tat sound and looked upward until finding the source of the rapid-fire pecking and catching sight of the woodpecker?

There are more than 180 species of woodpeckers worldwide, and they are adapted to a wide range of habitats, including forests, deserts, jungles, and even urban settings. The Downy Woodpecker (shown above) is the most common woodpecker in North America. It’s one of only about two dozen woodpeckers found in the United States.

I thought it would be fun to learn a bit more about woodpeckers through a simple Q&A format for some of the most common questions people have about woodpeckers:

Why do woodpeckers peck?

Four reasons: 1) Because it makes a satisfyingly loud noise that proclaims the bird’s territory and attracts a mate. 2) Because the bird wants to excavate a nest or roost hole. If the woodpeckers are creating a nest cavity, the hole will be round and large. 3) Because it is feeding on insects living under the bark of a tree. If the birds are looking for insects, the holes will be small and irregular. 4) Because they are storing food. If you are located in the West, Acorn Woodpeckers peck dozens or hundreds of acorn-sized holes into large trees or houses, and stash a single fresh acorn into each one.

Acorn Woodpecker in action. This tree serves as a granary. Acorn Woodpeckers are communal so they all store their fresh acorns in the tree trunk and draw from it as needed. Sort of like a family fridge.

Why don’t woodpeckers get brain damage from pecking hard surfaces?

Researchers have found that there are a few anatomical features and other factors that come together to keep a woodpecker safe and healthy while it rat-a-tat-tats the day away.

First, a woodpecker’s skull is built to absorb shock and minimize damage. The bone that surrounds the brain is thick and spongy, and loaded with trabeculae, microscopic beam-like bits of bone that form a tightly woven “mesh” for support and protection.

Woodpeckers' hyoid bones act as additional support structures. In humans, the horseshoe-shaped hyoid is an attachment site for certain throat and tongue muscles. Woodpeckers’ hyoids do the same job, but they’re much larger and are differently shaped. The ends of the “horseshoe” wrap all the way around the skull and, in some species, even around the eye socket or into the nasal cavity, eventually meeting to form a sort of sling shape. This bizarre-looking bone, the researchers think, acts like a safety harness for the woodpecker’s skull, absorbing shock stress and keeping it from shaking, rattling and rolling with each peck.

A woodpecker's tongue is up to 4 inches long depending on the species, and it wraps around the skull when it is retracted. Many woodpecker tongues are barbed to help the birds extract bugs from trees and holes. Woodpeckers can lick up sap and insects.

Here’s a cool video showing a Hairy Woodpecker going to town on a tree. And notice its toes as it grasps the trunk with its feet. Which raises another question:

YouTube Video

Are woodpecker toes different from other birds?

As a matter of fact, yes. While most birds have one toe pointing back and three pointing forward on each foot, woodpeckers have two sharply clawed toes pointing in each direction to help them grasp the sides of trees and balance while they hammer – this formation is called zygodactyl feet. With two toes facing the front and two toes facing the back, it helps them strongly grip trees and poles in a vertical position. They use those toes with their stiff tail feathers to brace on trees as they climb. Many woodpeckers also have longer, thicker talons than other birds, which helps them have an exceptional grip.

Why are Acorn Woodpeckers called the Clowns of the Avian World?

Well, just look at them. They look clownish. They’re also very social and live in groups of as many as 10 males and 10 females. When two or three are scurrying around a tree truck or hopping from limb to limb, it’s like they’re putting on a circus show.

How fast are woodpeckers pecking when they peck? (How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?)

Between feeding, excavating nest cavities, and drumming, woodpeckers can peck up to 20 times per second, or a total of 8,000-12,000 pecks per day. That works out to be around 13 to 15 miles per hour. It makes my head hurt thinking about it.

Why are most woodpeckers black and white and red?

The black and white pattern found on the backs of many woodpeckers helps to conceal them from predators. This is known as disruptive coloration. The sharp contrast in colors helps to break-up and conceal the shape and outline of a woodpecker against the surfaces they frequent.

What is the proper pronunciation of the Pileated Woodpecker?

So which is it, PIE-lee-ay-tid or PILL-ee-ay-tid? I say PIE-lee-ay-tid, but I’ve heard others say both versions. It turns out both are acceptable. But since it comes from the word pileus meaning cap and pileus is pronounced PIE-lee-us, I’m sticking with PIE-lee-ay-tid. Choose the one that’s right for you.

Pileated Woodpeckers are stunning birds. They are the largest woodpecker in North America and when you see one, you’ll be taken aback at how large it is. They are up to 18” in length (bigger than a crow or raven) with a wingspan as much as 30”. They’re incredible birds. Here’s a fantastic, high-quality video of chicks in their tree hole nest waiting for mom to bring breakfast.