Science
Related: About this forumWhy Woodpeckers Don't Get Headaches
The birds have some clever adaptations to keep their noggins safe.
Picture of red-headed woodpecker in Nebraska
A red-headed woodpecker works on a tree in Nebraska. The birds have skulls specially
suited to hard labor.
Photograph by Joel Sartore
By Liz Langley
PUBLISHED November 5, 2016
During election season, everyone can relate to woodpeckers: We all feel like banging our heads against the wall.
The birds handle it better, though, so Weird Animal Question of the Week was pleased to look into Derek Halas question: Why dont woodpeckers get headaches?
Little Drummer Bird
It's a tough one to answer, says Walter Koenig, an ornithologist at Cornell University via email. But, he says, if pecking caused pain and injury, presumably they wouldnt be around for very long"a hurt bird would likely succumb to predators.
There are more than 300 species of woodpeckers worldwide, and they peck wood for a variety of reasons: To excavate nest cavities, dig for insects or sap, or create holes to store food.
More:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/11/woodpeckers-brains-injuries-birds/
underpants
(182,730 posts)Divine Discontent
(21,056 posts)allan01
(1,950 posts)is used like singing.
global1
(25,237 posts)they might get some ideas as to how to minimize concussions & design better helmets.
Happyhippychick
(8,379 posts)The issue with concussion is the brain hitting the skull wall. Second issue is allowing the brain to rest so it can heal.
Sorry, my kid had a concussion and my pediatrician pulled me in to her office for a 45 minute lecture on aftercare, glad she did!
Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)If a study of woodpeckers could result in better helmet designs, I'm all for it.
Callmecrazy
(3,065 posts)Javaman
(62,510 posts)I'll just leave that there...