2006-10-06 14:13:34 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
A woodpecker's brain is packed very tightly into its skull, surrounded by specialized spongy bones that serve to protect it.
And, because there's almost no space between the brain and the skull, the woodpecker's brain can't rattle around on impact.
Some scientists also believe that the woodpecker's sling-like tongue, which actually coils once around its brain before anchoring to the skull, helps to reduce the shock of hammering.
Just as important as those shock-absorbing features are the very strong muscles in the woodpecker's head and neck.
These muscles make sure that the woodpecker's head and body are perfectly lined up. There's no room for error; if its head bobbled even a little bit forward (as if nodding "yes") or sideways (as if shaking "no") the resulting force could be great enough to break the woodpecker's neck
2006-10-06 18:19:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
well - how do we really know if they get headaches or not? Seriously, I don't think scientists have put electrodes in the woodpeckers brain to check for pain. However, I think that if they got headaches everytime they searched for food (the way God intended), it would really really suck to be a woodpecker! I guess I just have to think that these birds aren't too stupid to continually do something that hurts!
2006-10-06 19:49:12 · answer #2 · answered by natureutt78 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the woodpecker is adapted for chipping away wood and picking out insects from cracks. The beak is very strong and the neck muscles are highly developed for hammering. The skull is particularly sturdy to withstand the force of the blows as it hammers. The leg bones are large and strong. The end of the spine curves downwards to enable the tail feathers to act as a prop. Plus one toe of the woodpecker's foot is reversed to give a stronger grip.
2006-10-06 14:27:43 · answer #3 · answered by Inseries 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's their function to bump their beaks on the wood,
so obviously there's a fact that woodpeckers have
protection from hurting themselves in pecking..
it's like polar bears, they have thick fur to protect
them from swimming under the ice..
2006-10-07 02:54:47 · answer #4 · answered by GeLo'14 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they do, but they don't mind it or something...
The only way to find out if they get headaches or not would be to ask one. I can't see this happening, so I guess we'll never know.
Rawlyn.
2006-10-06 14:22:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is because they have cushion-like structures inside their heads which act like shock-absorbers.
2006-10-08 09:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by farhan ferdous 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't answer that but I sure like the question. Funny.
2006-10-06 14:21:30 · answer #7 · answered by Patty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They do not peck at the wood, they eat the little bugs crawling on it.
2006-10-06 14:21:39 · answer #8 · answered by Peanut to the rescue! 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
their skulls are more reinforced than other birds
2006-10-06 14:21:50 · answer #9 · answered by madchiman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋