Woodpeckers, Barbets, and Allies

Piciformes is a group of mainly tree-living birds that share a special type of feet with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. This unique foot arrangement helps them grip well on vertical surfaces like tree trunks. Most birds in this group have strong, chisel-shaped beaks that are good for digging into wood or eating fruit, although the shape of the beak can vary a lot between different families. They usually nest in holes, either digging their own or using ones made by other animals. Their feathers often have bright and bold colours, with greens, reds, yellows, and black being common. These birds live all over the world except in Antarctica and Australia. They can be found in many places, from tropical rainforests to cooler woodlands and even dry, scrubby areas. The group includes woodpeckers, piculets, wrynecks, barbets, toucans, and honeyguides. Many of these birds have a distinctive rolling flight and make unique drumming or calling sounds to communicate and defend their territory.