Woodpeckers of the World: Photos Needed !

Sunday 16 September 2012

Photos Needed !

I posted a while ago a request for photos for my forthcoming book on world woodpeckers (see info in the left-hand column here). One change is that sample photos can now be sent directly to me in small jpgs. In particular, woodpecker species from Africa and South & Central America are needed. Both sexes, distinct races, juveniles, interesting poses, behaviour shots, all are needed. Thanks. Gerard Gorman.

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Background

Woodpeckers, the Picidae, are Piciformes, an order that includes some of the oldest avian lineages. The Piciformes probably originated about 60 million years ago in the Tertiary period and became distinct from their closest relatives some 50 million years ago. Depending upon which taxonomy is followed, and the fact that the status of some species is unclear, around 240-260 woodpecker species probably exist globally. The Picidae includes three subfamilies: Jynginae (wrynecks), Picumninae (piculets) and the Picinae, the “true woodpeckers”. In terms of size, behaviour, distribution and the habitats they use, the Picinae are a fairly diverse group of birds with six distinct tribes. They are widespread and found from sea-level to high-altitudes but absent from the Arctic, Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Madagascar and some other islands. Worldwide woodpeckers are usually, but not exclusively, associated with trees.