Woodpeckers

There are more than 200 kinds of woodpeckers. They are famous for hammering trees. This hammering makes a drumming sound. It lets people know woodpeckers are near.

Some woodpeckers are black and white. Others are brown and white. Males have red or yellow feathers on their head. They have stiff tail feathers. The feathers help them perch in trees.

Woodpeckers can be found all around the world. They often live in forests. Woodpeckers also live in mountains and deserts.

Most woodpeckers look for food in trees. They hammer into tree bark. Then they catch insects and larvae with their long, sticky tongues.

Woodpeckers find mates in the spring. The male and female build a nest together. The males and females take turns sitting on the eggs. They are keeping them warm. This is called incubation. Most woodpeckers live around eight years.

Zoom In

Woodpecker Classification: Bird
Diet: Omnivore
Endangered Status: Most are Least Concern, but some are Endangered and Critically Endangered.
Average Length A woodpecker is longer than a basketball.
Average Weight A woodpecker is lighter than four sticks of butter.

Play & Learn