Editor’s Note: This is the first of a three-part series about the woodpeckers of Missouri. The series will focus on the eight different types of woodpecker species found in the state and how to control the nuisances they can create. The diversity of Missouri’s ecology is a sight to behold, with a plethora of habitats that are home to a vibrant assortment of bird species. Woodpeckers in Missouri are a breathtaking sight. They use their strong chisel-shaped beaks to drill holes in decaying trees to make nests and search for insects and sap. These birds have unique features that enable them to do this task effortlessly. Most woodpeckers have zygodactyl feet, which means they have two toes at the front and two at the back. They use these toes to hitch their way up trees and other objects while staying vertical, keeping their heads upright and leaning away from the tree. They also have stiff tail feathers that they lean against and back toes that support their bodies. To prevent dust…