Do woodpeckers get headaches?

Since it was a beautiful night, I decided to go for a walk.  I love this time of year. Nightly walks.  I love to see lights on in people’s homes.  I often wonder what is happening inside.  Are they watching tv?  Are they reading books?  Are they sitting around the kitchen table eating?  Are they enjoying each others company?  As all of these random thoughts were popping in and out my head, I heard a tapping noise.  The tapping would start and then stop.  Tap, tap, tap, tappity, tap tap! As I was walking, the sound was getting closer but I couldn’t see anything in front of me.  Then…I looked up.  It was a woodpecker. 

I stood and watched this little bird for quite sometime.  I was trying to figure out how this little guy can stand vertical to the pole that he was tapping against. Why is he tapping?  It is so loud…do you think that woodpeckers get headaches?  This was so intriguing that I came home and  found out some information that I  want to share with my many (3) readers because I know that you are as curious as I am. 

How does the woodpecker stand vertical against a pole?  They have special feet with 2 backward toes instead of just one.  It would be similar to having an extra thumb.  They also have amazingly sharp claws which aid in helping them hold onto the wood.  Oh…they have stiff tail feathers to let them lean back and rest on their tail. 

What are they doing when they are tapping the wood?  If they hear a bug under the bark, they peck a hole with their becks.  Their beaks are long, straight and pointy which aids in making good holes.  Their tongues are extremely long with a sharp end for spiking bugs inside the tree.  It is also sticky so it can stick to ants in the tree or lick up sap.  They have a straight bill for collecting nuts and berries. They love peanut butter. 

In my research, I found that woodpeckers have an extra-thick skull.  This helps prevent headaches from all of the pecking that they do.  AWESOME!!!

Another reason for their tapping is that it will attract a mate.  After they find a mate, both the male and female peck a hole in the tree.  They tunnel down into the tree about one to two feet.  They make a wood nest at the bottom and they take turns sitting on the eggs and feeding the birds.  Aw…a happy family!!

So….the next time that you hear a woodpecker pecking…you know that they don’t get headaches from all of the noise.  (wink)

~Michelle