Woodpeckers (Picidae)

 

The family Picidae encompasses woodpeckers, sapsuckers, piculets, and wrynecks. They are found nearly worldwide, except for Australasia, Madagascar, South Pacific islands, and the polar regions. The family includes 35 genera with ca. 240 species; two species are possibly extinct. Woodpeckers and their allies inhabit forests and woodlands, although several species occur in savannas, rocky hillsides, and deserts. The Picidae are mostly sedentary, but few species are migratory; there are also altitudinal migrants.

Woodpeckers mainly feed on insects and other invertebrates living under bark and in wood (beetles and their larvae, ants, termites, spiders, other arthropods), and also catch flying insects. However, many species are opportunistic, and sometimes consume bird eggs, nestlings, small rodents, lizards, fruit, and nuts. Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus spp.) feed primarily on tree sap. Woodpeckers nest in cavities which they excavate in tree trunks. A clutch contains 2-5 eggs, and incubation lasts 11-14 days. The young leave the nest in 18-30 days after hatching. Many cavity-nesting birds rely on abandoned woodpecker cavities for nest sites.

 

		White-barred Piculet (Picumnus cirratus)
		Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
		Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
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