The great spotted woodpecker is an expert climber and drummer, using its powerful beak to carve into tree bark in search of insects and larvae. Its stiff tail feathers act as a support while it moves vertically, and its zygodactyl feet—two toes facing forward, two backward—give it an exceptional grip. To withstand constant pecking, it has a built-in shock absorber: a spongy skull structure that protects its brain from impact. This species is also known to store food by wedging nuts into crevices and even drinks tree sap when insects are scarce.
Dendrocopos major
Shot with:
Canon EOS 6D + Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3
600mm | 1/3200 | f/6.3 | ISO8000