Woodpeckers exhibit remarkable strength and precision when drilling into wood, generating impacts that can reach decelerations of up to 400g. A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology reveals how these birds brace their bodies to maximize their drilling power. Researchers from Brown University and the University of Münster discovered that woodpeckers engage multiple muscle groups, effectively turning themselves into living hammers during their drilling activities.
The research team, led by Nicholas Antonson, conducted their study over three days, capturing high-speed footage of eight wild downy woodpeckers as they drilled into hardwood. By measuring electrical signals from the birds’ head, neck, abdomen, tail, and leg muscles, the scientists were able to determine the precise muscular contractions that occur during each impact. They also monitored air pressure and breathing patterns to gain insights into how these birds synchronize their physical movements.
The findings show that the hip flexor and front neck muscles play crucial roles in driving the birds forward as they strike wood. “At the same time, other muscles appear to play supportive roles,” Antonson explained. The birds brace their bodies by using muscles located at the base of the skull and back of the neck, while their abdominal muscles stabilize the body during drilling. Additionally, the tail muscle is flexed to anchor the body against the tree, enhancing stability upon impact.
Muscle Coordination Enhances Impact Power
Woodpeckers adapt the strength of their impacts depending on the task at hand. The study revealed that the front hip flexor muscle contracted more forcefully during drilling compared to softer tapping, indicating a refined ability to modulate impact force. This precision is vital for the birds, as they need to drill into hard wood for feeding while also using softer taps to communicate with each other.
The research team also examined the woodpeckers’ breathing patterns, noting that the birds exhaled forcefully—similar to a grunt—at the moment of impact. “This type of breathing pattern is known to generate greater co-contraction of trunk musculature,” Antonson stated, adding that this synchronization effectively boosts the power of each blow. Remarkably, the birds were observed to inhale a brief mini-breath of approximately 40 milliseconds between each rapid strike, allowing them to tap up to 13 times per second.
While these birds utilize their entire bodies for drilling, their grunts are often drowned out by the sound of their hammering. This intricate coordination of muscle use and breathing not only showcases the woodpeckers’ unique adaptations but also highlights the complexity of their behaviors.
The research contributes to the broader understanding of animal biomechanics and neuromuscular coordination. The insights gained from woodpeckers could inform studies in other areas of animal movement and even have implications for engineering and robotics.
For more information, refer to the study “Neuromuscular coordination of movement and breathing forges a hammer-like mechanism for woodpecker drilling,” published in the Journal of Experimental Biology on November 6, 2025.
