"I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues." - Dr. Suess
Their native range extends from the Himalayas in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan. Being woodland birds, deforestation and clearing of land for development could reduce their populations dramatically.
Woodpeckers have four strong toes, two pointing forward and two back, with sharp claws that enable them to cling upright to the bark of tree trunks and branches. Their stiff tail feathers also prop them up vertically. This arrangement of claws and tail helps them to brace themselves against tree trunks while they peck at the trees with their beaks to excavate holes.
Black-naped woodpecker -male
(Picus canus guerini)
Sony A77II
Tamron 150-600
f/6.3, 560mm, 1/500s, ISO1000
Barlowganj, (India)
May 2019