What two surface features on the tongue aid in capturing insects once the bird probes a cavity?
Answer
Backward-pointing barbs and sticky saliva
The long tongue is coated in sticky saliva and equipped with barbs near the tip, allowing it to spear or adhere to grubs and ants efficiently.
Related Questions
To which biological family do woodpeckers belong?What specialized toe arrangement do woodpeckers have for clinging vertically to tree trunks?Where does the woodpecker's exceptionally long tongue bone (hyoid apparatus) anchor for storage?What primary function do a woodpecker's stiff, wedge-shaped tail feathers serve while clinging to a tree?What specific cranial feature acts as a natural shock absorber against drumming forces?How is the woodpecker's hardened, chisel-shaped bill maintained?What aspect of the woodpecker generally shows wide variation between species, contrasting with their uniform feeding mechanics?What two surface features on the tongue aid in capturing insects once the bird probes a cavity?Besides excavating for food, what is the main purpose of the behavior known as 'drumming'?Which large woodpecker species is specifically known for its prominent bright red crest?What level of concussive force can the skulls of some small woodpeckers withstand when drumming?