Why is the assignment to Order Piciformes significant regarding superficially similar birds like flickers?

It separates woodpeckers from birds exhibiting similar behaviors on different branches of the avian tree

The assignment of woodpeckers to the Order Piciformes is a crucial scientific distinction because it places them according to fundamental evolutionary relationships, often based on skeletal structure and developmental traits, rather than just superficial behavioral similarities. Birds like flickers or sapsuckers might exhibit behaviors like drilling or foraging near wood, leading to superficial resemblance with true woodpeckers. However, placement in the Order Piciformes confirms that they sit on different branches of the avian tree lineage. This precise placement based on shared ancestry ensures that birds are grouped correctly, even if external features or common behaviors might suggest otherwise to the casual observer.