A woodpecker’s tongue wraps around its skull, shielding its brain from pecks 1,000 times greater than gravity.

The bird's extreme head strength and bizarre tongue anatomy make it an evolutionary marvel.

Few birds are as instantly recognizable and captivating as the woodpecker, not only for its colorful plumage but for its rapid-fire drumming on tree trunks.

This impressive behavior isn't just for show—it plays a critical role in feeding and nesting. Scientists have discovered that much of the woodpecker’s resilience and efficiency comes down to its extraordinary tongue, which is uniquely adapted to extract insects and sap from deep within trees.

Remarkably, the tongue starts at the nostrils, wraps over the skull, and coils behind the head before emerging through the mouth—an anatomical marvel that helps cushion the brain from the shock of repeated pecking.

Woodpeckers can hammer trees up to 12,000 times a day with forces 1,000 times greater than gravity—and survive without injury.

This is thanks to several evolutionary advantages, including a shock-absorbing skull, chisel-like beak, and specialized bone structure. Their tongues are not only long but barbed and sticky, allowing them to snag prey efficiently. With over 300 species around the globe, including the red-cockaded woodpecker and Costa Rica’s ladder-backed woodpecker, these birds offer a striking example of nature’s engineering—both beautiful and biologically brilliant.

Credit: Hashem Al-Ghaili

More details/photos: https://www.beautyofplanet.com/a-natural-wonder-the-woodpeckers-tongue/