Woodpecker

Woodpeckersareamongthemostremarkablebirdsintheavianworld,havingevolvedauniqueanatomythatenablesthemtopeckandboreintosolidtimberbothtofindfoodandtocreatenestingcavities.Theyhavebeenconsideredsymbolsoffertility,security,strength,power,prophecy,magic,rhythm,medicineandcarpentry,andhavebeenesteemedastheguardiansofwoodlands,treesurgeons,fire-bringers,weatherforecastersandboat-builders.HighlyregardedwoodpeckerexpertGerardGormandelvesintothenaturalandculturalhistoryofwoodpeckers,presentingtheirnatural,socialandculturalhistory.Heexplorestheiroriginsandwheretheyarefound,andhowtheyhavefascinatedhumankindthroughouthistory,fromancientBabylon,GreeceandRome,viathetribesofNorthAmericaandthejunglesofAmazoniaandBorneo,tothemoderncartoonrascalWoodyWoodpecker.Hedescribeshowtheyfeatureinfolktales,mythsandlegendswherevertheyoccur,andhowtheirfluctuatingrelationshipwithhumanshasdeveloped.Featuringmanystunningphotographsandillustrationsfrombothnatureandculture,Woodpeckerwillappealtoanyonewhoisinterestedintheseextraordinarybirds.