Piciformes, commonly known as woodpeckers and their relatives, are a diverse group of birds with several key characteristics that make them unique. Here are some notable features:
Strong, Chisel-Like Bill: Woodpeckers have a sturdy, pointed bill adapted for drilling into wood. This bill is used to extract insects and sap.
Zygodactyl Feet: Their feet have two toes pointing forward and two backward, providing a strong grip on tree trunks and branches.
Shock-Absorbing Skull Structure: They have specialized adaptations in their skulls to absorb the impact from pecking, including a spongy bone structure and a tightly fitting braincase.
Long, Sticky Tongue: Their tongue can extend far beyond the bill and is often coated with sticky saliva to help extract insects from deep within tree bark or wood.
Powerful Neck Muscles: The neck muscles are highly developed to support the forceful pecking action.
Tail Feathers: Woodpeckers have stiff, pointed tail feathers that act as a prop against tree trunks while they are pecking.
Distinctive Drumming Behavior: They are known for their drumming sound, which is produced by pecking rapidly on tree trunks or other resonant surfaces.
Varied Plumage: While colors and patterns can vary widely among species, many have striking plumage with bright colors and patterns.
These characteristics are adapted to their specialized lifestyle, which includes foraging for insects in wood and creating nesting cavities.
| Family Name | Family English Name |
|---|---|
| Lybiidae | African Barbets |
| Megalaimidae | Asian Barbets |
| Capitonidae | New World Barbets |
| Semnornithidae | Toucan-Barbets |
| Ramphastidae | Toucans |
| Indicatoridae | Honeyguides |
| Picidae | Woodpeckers |