Considering the pounding it takes, why doesn’t a Woodpecker’s bill wear down to a ragged nub?
Wear down it does, but special cells on the end of the bill are constantly replacing the lost material. This keeps the chisel-pointed bill strong and resilient, while actually allowing it to be sharpened with every blow. Woodpeckers use their stiff tail feathers for extra support when digging for insects or hollowing out a nest in a tree. A Woodpecker’s pointed tail feathers are especially strong and rigid. The tail bone, lower vertebrae and the tail’s supporting muscles are also large in comparison to other birds. These modifications allow a woodpecker’s tail to serve as a prop that supports their weight as they climb and cling to trees. Woodpeckers rarely climb down trees – their stiff tail feathers and relatively short legs are much better adapted for climbing upwards instead of down. The contrasting black and white pattern found on the backs of many woodpeckers helps to conceal them from predators. Known as disruptive coloration, this sharp contrast in colors helps to break-up and
