March 22, 2026
A Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), pounding on a tree quite a distance away, yet making as much noise as a jackhammer. Hammering on a tree at up to 20 times per second. That makes my head hurt just thinking about it.
Woodpeckers hammer on trees in search of food, to create a nesting hole, or to lure a mate. They’re well equipped for this action. They have small brains which are snuggly packed into their skulls which protects the brain from being bashed around. Also they have specialized skull structures, very strong neck muscles, and a long tongue (one third of their body length) that wraps around the brain, acting like a seatbelt to ease the impact forces.
Impressive.
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