A Closer Look at Woodpecker Tongues

Drilling into wood is just the first step. To reach prey hidden deep inside, woodpeckers rely on an extraordinary tongue, long and flexible enough to thread into insect tunnels the bill can't reach.

What Makes Woodpecker Tongues Exceptional?

The woodpecker tongue is one of the longest relative to body size in the bird world, and woodpeckers use it with remarkable precision. 

When not extended, the base of the tongue wraps around the back of the skull, and in some species, stretches all the way to the right nostril.

Precision

Two pairs of muscles guide the tongue, allowing it to move not just in and out, but in multiple directions.

Built to Grip

Sticky saliva grabs prey on contact; insects that might otherwise slip away. In some species, tongue tips may have bumps or backward-facing barbs that hook insects on the way out of the crevice.

Regenerative Tips

Tongue-tip structures vary by species and diet, but they all have keratin tips that naturally regrow when worn down.

Keep learning about woodpeckers and their fascinating adaptations in the Wonderful World of Woodpeckers, on sale for the holiday season! 

Image Credits:

Pileated Woodpecker © Bellemare Celine / Macaulay Library, Northern Flicker © Gary Mueller / Macaulay Library, Northern Flicker Illustration by Marla Coppolino, Tongue Animation by Shayna Muller, Tongue-tip Illustrations from The Tongues of Woodpeckers by F. A. Lucas

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Celebrate the diversity and wonder of woodpeckers worldwide with a gorgeous poster full of fun facts and beautiful illustrations you can download and print.