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Woodpeckers are perfectly adapted for life in the
forest. There are many different species, most of which can be found throughout North America's temperate forests in all seasons. Often
they are heard, rather than seen. Using their thick, powerful beaks, woodpeckers busily hammer out notches in tree trunks as they search
for wood-boring insects.
Most of these birds have feet with two toes pointing forwards and two pointing backwards, which make it easy to grip onto vertical tree trunks. Their tails are short and stiff, and can be used as props when pressed against a tree. With these special adaptations, woodpeckers are extremely efficient at finding and capturing their insect prey. Holes drilled by a woodpecker in a "wildlife tree". Photo by Maya Walters |
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woodpeckers -- page 1 of 4
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related topics
[arboreal adaptations] [temperate forests] [insects]
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