The
woodpeckers,
piculets,
wrynecks, and
sapsuckers are a
family,
Picidae, of
near-passerine birds. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for
Australia and
New Zealand,
Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in
forests or
woodland habitats, although a few species are known to live in treeless areas such as rocky hillsides and deserts.
The Picidae are just one of the eight living families in the
order Piciformes. Members of the order Piciformes, such as the
jacamars,
puffbirds,
barbets,
toucans, and
honeyguides, have traditionally been thought to be very closely related to the woodpeckers, piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers. More recently,
DNA sequence analyses have confirmed this view.
[1]
There are about 200
species and about 30
genera in this family. Many species are threatened or endangered due to loss of habitat or
habitat fragmentation. Two species of woodpeckers, the
Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the
Imperial Woodpecker, have been considered extinct for about 30 years (there has been some controversy recently whether these species still exist).
Title Pileated Woodpecker
Medium oils on canvas louan panel
Size 7"x5"
Signed and Framed
http://barbarahavilandfineart.com/works/929202/pileated-woodpecker-29-50birds-in-50days-for-$50-each
We have lots of Morkingbirds here in our yard. Birds are fun to watch.