WOODPECKER

The Woodpeckers are a group of birds that are known for their distinctive features such as slender bodies, strong beaks, and long, flexible tongues. In Bangladesh, there are 21 species of Woodpeckers that are residents of the country and one migratory species.

These birds are known for their ability to cling to trees using their sharp claws and maintain balance with their stiff tails while searching for insects or digging out a nest. Woodpeckers come in various sizes and display bold color patterns including black and white, olive, or red on their head. Their flight is heavy and undulating and many have loud voices, particularly when drumming their bills during mating season or when they have found a resonant surface.

During courtship, woodpeckers perform displays and flights and nest in tree trunks by chiselling out a hole for their eggs. The eggs are usually two in number and unadorned by any nest material, with some species laying up to 8 or 10 eggs. Both parents participate in caring for the nest and young. The presence of Woodpeckers in Bangladesh contributes to the country’s rich biodiversity and serves as an indicator of the health of its forests and wetlands.