There are 22 species of woodpeckers found in North America. They range in size from the small downy which is about the size of a sparrow to the crow-sized pileated. Because of their distinctive coloration and rhythmic tapping sounds, woodpeckers are easy to spot. Using their sharp, pointed beaks, woodpeckers tap on decaying trees to search for insects and sap, to mark their territory and to announce their presence to the opposite sex. A long, sticky tongue allows them to extract food and sap from drilled holes.
Woodpeckers have four toes, the first and fourth face backwards and the second and third face forward. This allows the woodpeckers to comfortably climb vertically and grasp limbs. They have a long stiff tail that acts as a prop. Their skull protects the brain from potential damage from repeated hammering. The brain is located at the optimal place in the skull to protect it and it is small in size. The eyes are shielded from flying wood debris by a membrane that covers the eye.
Woodpeckers will feed from a backyard bird feeder providing they have a proper tail brace. As well as insects, woodpeckers eat suet, black oil sunflower and peanuts.
