Photo Submission
Submitted By
Briana Fisher
Linden, MI, USA
Description
Impeccable timing made this photo possible. Our Red-Bellied Woodpeckers love suet balls and when this one went to swallow one, it happened to show us the true length of its lengthy, barbed tongue.
This barbed tongue is designed to get under tree bark to spear bugs and pull them back out to eat. It also wraps around their skull to protect their brain when they hammer on hard surfaces.
6 replies on “Now that’s a mouthful…”
Amazing photo.Ive never seen the tongue of any bird before.Awesome.
Stunning photo! I didn’t realize their tongues were so long.
Love this picture of the birds tongue.
Outstanding Photo and very nice description! Who Knew?
That picture is amazing! You caught it at the perfect moment. ❤️
Ist einfach sehr schön, es zeigt wie wunderschön die Natur ist 😍