Woodpeckers have long tongues that help them reach insects under tree bark.

The longer version

The tongue of a woodpecker is so long that it does not fit inside the mouth. Its base is anchored at the back of the skull, and in many species the horns of the hyoid bone wrap up over the top of the skull and forward, sometimes around the eye socket, before the tongue extends out through the bill.

Muscles slide those bones forward to push the tongue out, and the tip carries backward-pointing barbs plus sticky saliva for hooking grubs out of their tunnels. The arrangement also lets the bird probe deep into holes it has drilled. Species that feed on surface insects have much shorter tongues, which shows the length tracks how a bird feeds.

Where this entry sits

Here you will find feathered trivia about flight, migration, nests, eggs, and the songs birds sing. Expect short surprising facts on penguins, owls, hummingbirds, and other familiar birds from gardens, forests, wetlands, and distant coastlines. The full list sits on the Birds page, where every entry is listed in order.