Which environments are notably absent from the global range of the Picidae family?

Australia, the polar regions, or the most arid deserts worldwide

The distribution of the woodpecker family, Picidae, is broad but has distinct geographical limitations. They are found nearly everywhere trees are present, which supports their need for standing timber for nesting and foraging. However, specific large landmasses and extreme climatic zones are missing their native populations. Australia, because it evolved its own distinct avian fauna without native woodpeckers, lacks them entirely. Similarly, the environmental extremes found in the polar regions, characterized by prolonged periods of deep cold and lack of substantial, mature tree cover, prevent their establishment. Likewise, the world's most arid deserts, where trees are too scarce to support nesting and insect food sources are unreliable, are also completely devoid of native woodpeckers. This absence clearly demonstrates the intrinsic link between their presence and the availability of suitable woody habitats.