Is it true that a woodpecker’s tongue wraps around its brain? Discover the amazing ways God designed woodpeckers as avian acrobats and what they teach us about Jesus taking the impact of our sins.

Here’s our trail map:

1. Why Do Woodpeckers Peck On Trees?
2. Does a Woodpecker’s Tongue Wrap Around Its Brain?
3. Do Woodpeckers Hurt Trees?
4. How Does God Shield Us From Harm?

Related Lessons to listen to next:

1. How Do Wood Duck Babies Survive a 60-Foot Fall? Lesson 53: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7df63827-a6cc-4e50-a3f2-4afee0e19933/
2. Why Is Nature Musical?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/076641d2-bf3c-4eaf-b810-ef1f1b256e65/

Eryn's Books:

1. The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
2. Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
3. 936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

1. Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)
2. Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/
3. Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/member
4. Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
5. Free Woodpecker Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/does-a-woodpeckers-tongue-wrap-around-its-brain/
6. Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3 (NIV)

“But he took our suffering on him

and felt our pain for us.

We saw his suffering

and thought God was punishing him.

But he was wounded for the wrong we did;

he was crushed for the evil we did.

The punishment, which made us well, was given to him,

and we are healed because of his wounds.

We all have wandered away like sheep;

each of us has gone his own way.

But the Lord has put on him the punishment

for all the evil we have done.” Isaiah 53:4-6 (NCV)

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

1. Cavity Nest: A nest inside a tree often made by a woodpecker.
2. Drumming: Rapid pecking of a woodpecker to communicate with other nearby woodpeckers.
3. Zygodactyl: A four-toed foot design with two facing forward and two facing backward, built for gripping.
4. Hyoid Bone: A long bone wrapping around the woodpecker’s skull that allows its tongue to move in and out and stabilizes its brain.
5. Capillary Action: When liquid climbs a surface because it sticks to itself.

Some but not all sources used for research (*additional information from some sources may present conflicting worldviews)

1. https://answersingenesis.org/birds/what-we-knew-about-woodpecker
2. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/hole-story-how-woodpeckers-make-homes-forest/
3. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/how-to-recognize-woodpeckers-by-their-drumming-sounds/

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Credits:

Woodpecker sound credit: Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sap sucker video clip: Paul Danese, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons