Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Species
Woodpeckers are specialists in climbing and excavating nest holes in vertical tree trunks. Anatomical adaptions include strong feet with mobile toes and sharp claws, stiff tail feathers which server as support on vertical surfaces, a powerful awl- or chisel-shaped bill and a shock-absorbing skull.
 
There are about 240 species world-wide. Ten species breed in Europe; all but one are resident.
 
Species seen but not photographed:
  • Red-shafted Flicker : California (October 2002)
  • Syrian Woodpecker : Bulgaria (June 2014)
  • Grey-headed Woodpecker : Bulgaria (June 2014)