Why do woodpeckers peck at trees?

Woodpeckers peck at trees to search for insects, create nesting cavities, and communicate with other woodpeckers. Their strong beaks and reinforced skulls allow them to drill into wood without injury. Pecking also helps them mark their territory, with the sound acting as a form of communication. Woodpeckers’ tongues are long and sticky, enabling them to extract insects from deep crevices. This behaviour is vital for their survival and plays a role in controlling insect populations in forests.