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Collection  >  Order (Birds)  >  Order Information (Piciformes)

Piciformes

Piciformes, from Latin pīcus (“woodpecker”) and Latin -fōrmis (“-shaped”), in reference to the fact that these animals are all woodpecker-shaped and woodpecker-related.

Woodpeckers, puffbirds, jacamars, toucans, barbets, honeyguides.

Photos

DISTRIBUTION

All continents except Australia and Antarctica. Mainly along the tropic.

SIZE

They are small to medium sized birds (8 to 63 cm in length). 

MORPHOLOGY

Physiognomy varies greatly across species. However, most are characterized by long beaks (some thick and serrated, others thinner and rigid) and colorful feathers. Usually they have a strong tail for balancing. With two front and two back toes, their zygodactyl feet resemble those of parrots, which is obviously advantageous for birds that spend a lot of time perched on tree trunks.

ECOLOGY & HABITAT

Rest on perches, tree branches or trunks. Habitat varies from tropical forest, savanna, to woodland.

DIET

They are generally insectivorous, although some species mostly eat fruits, berries, insects, lizards, rodents and even beeswax.

REPRODUCTION

They can create their own nest holes. Nesting sites vary among species. Some are built on soft and dead trees, some are built on hard living trees. Both male and female will incubate the eggs, feed the young, and keep the nest clean.

REFERENCES

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D. A. (2010). Handbook of the Birds of the World Series. Lynx Edicions.

Lovette, I. J., Fitzpatrick, J. W. (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology. Wiley-Blackwell.

Gill, F. B., Prum, R. O. (2019). Ornithology. W.H. Freeman & Co. Ltd.

Total species known

380

Species in the collection

3

Species in Hong Kong

7

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