Edith C. Saxton, age 16, Of Bombe, Ida., for her question;

Does a woodpecker have a reason for pecking?

This red headed bird feeds on a mixed diet of insects, fruit and assorted seeds. He is very fond of beetles, ants and other insects that tend to burrow into logs and tree trunks. Some of thebe inbects dig tiny tunnels in wood to bury their eggs, and later the grubs hatch and live hidden away in the trunks and branches.

The busy woodpecker uses his strong beak to dig out ants and beetles, grubs and insect eggs. When you hear his peek peck drumming th8887665…KKKKKKKKKK    9rough the woods,, he is shopping for his favorite foods: From the noise he makes, you would think that he would bash in his brains. But not at all. Aside from his hard beak, he has an extra strong neck and a shield of bone to protect his head. His fast, hammering blows do not hurt him at all.