A woodpecker's tail allows it to balance itself close to the tree while working at a decided task. They are well-equipped to seize their food with unique tongues.

I have grown up hearing people discuss woodpecker beck's and how they use them...but the tongue is the real surprise!

All of the adaptations; bill morphology, tongue morphology, leg+feet morphology; sexual dimorphism, all play a role in the success of this group.

No question. Those tongues!  Before the explanation about tongues, i would have said their adaptations for pecking, but the tongues win!

I think their tongues are the most amazing adaptation. I remember learning about this in a lecture from a ranger in Yosemite National Park years ago. It was the beginning of my fascination with these remarkable birds.

Fascinating how woodpeckers have adapted to meet their needs.

It has to be the tongue and the different ways in which they are structured, depending on their diet.

The tongues are amazing.  I wonder whether the tongue when retracted acts as a shock absorber?  It is amazing to me as a neuroscientist that their brains can withstand the drumming!

My favorite woodpecker adaptations are their tongues, the length and structure of tongues are really amazing.

It's not possible to choose one single adaptation for these amazingly  evolved animals.  However, if I had to choose one for myself, it would be the ability to pound my head without getting being damaged.

The amazing tongue and the different reasons woodpeckers drum  are the two adaptations I found interesting.  We have 6 variety of woodpeckers in our area.  I now have some idea of differences  to watch and listen for.

Their barbed tongues that can wriggle down a wood boring beetle gallery and grab larvae that are way back in there! I've seen Black-backed Woodpeckers work larvae the size of my pinky finger out of dead wood!

I think their tongues are the most amazing adaptation.  The length and the way they store it of course, but the tip variations are the most amazing to me.

Woodpecker's ability to drum on a tree so fast and loud without giving itself a massive headache(presumably) fascinates me.

My favorite is the tongue. So amazing!

I heard in a presentation before how their tongues are like harpoons, but those visuals were amazing. It's so icredible how large they are too!

Those tongues.  Now Leonardo da Vinci's notes on the tongue of a woodpecker makes sense.

Their specially adapted toes, and strong tail, that keep them securely attached and stable in the upright position.

I had no idea they had such long tongues with barbs or sticky hairs.

I found it interesting to learn about the thickness of the tail shafts and about their tongues.

Hearing and watching the Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming is the sign that Summer is on its way.  I did not realise how long their tongues were nor how each species had slightly different tongues according to their diet

The tongues of woodpeckers amazed me!

It is so interesting to learn about the woodpeckers specialized bills, tongues, feet and tails! We have pileated woodpeckers on our property frequently - they are attracted to our wood piles, chiseling large holes in the wood, making large piles of chips. So now I learn that they are after the carpenter ants in the wood! Mystery solved! Pam from Chester County, PA

My favorite woodpecker adaptations are their tongues and feathers. I like their tongues because they are so unique and the way they wrap around the skull is so interesting. I like their feathers because they come in so many different colors and types. I guess it's the same for all birds, but the crests, wings and tail feathers are fascinating.

Their tongues' special effects to match different types of food.