鴷形目 Piciformes

鴷形目 Piciformes，來自拉丁文的 pīcus (啄木鳥) 和拉丁文的 -fōrmis (形狀)，說明所有動物都是啄木鳥形狀的及跟啄木鳥有關係。 Piciformes, from Latin pīcus (“woodpecker”) and Latin -fōrmis (“-shaped”), in reference to the fact that these animals are all woodpecker-shaped and woodpecker-related.

種的俗名 Common names of members

啄木鳥、蓬頭鴷、鶲鴷、巨嘴鳥、擬啄木鳥、響蜜鴷。

Woodpeckers, puffbirds, jacamars, toucans, barbets, honeyguides.

分佈 Distribution

所有大陸，除了澳大利亞和南極洲之外。主要分佈沿著熱帶。

All continents except Australia and Antarctica. Mainly along the tropic.

體型 Size

牠們屬於小到中型的，長度8厘米到63厘米。

They are small to medium sized birds (8 to 63 cm in length).

形態 Morphology

不同物種的面貌差異很大。然而，大多數的特徵是長喙（有些厚且呈鋸齒狀，有些則較薄且堅硬）和彩色羽毛。通常牠們有一條強壯的尾巴來保持平衡。牠們的對趾足有兩個前趾和兩個後趾，類似於鸚鵡的足。這對於棲息在樹幹上的鳥類來說顯然是有利的。

Physiognomy varies greatly across species. However, most are characterized by long beaks (some thick and serrated, others thinner and rigid) and colorful feathers. Usually they have a strong tail for balancing. With two front and two back toes, their zygodactyl feet resemble those of parrots, which is obviously advantageous for birds that spend a lot of time perched on tree trunks.

生態及棲息地 Ecology & Habitat

住在棲息處、樹枝或樹幹上。棲息地多樣，例如熱帶森林、稀樹草原及林地。

Rest on perches, tree branches or trunks. Habitat varies from tropical forest, savanna, to woodland.

食性 Diet

通常是以蟲為食的，有些物種主要吃水果、漿果、昆蟲、蜥蜴、囓齒動物，甚至蜂蠟。

They are generally insectivorous, although some species mostly eat fruits, berries, insects, lizards, rodents and even beeswax.

繁殖 Reproduction

牠們可以建築自己的巢穴。築巢地點因物種而異：有些建築在柔軟的死樹上，有些在堅硬的活樹上。雄性和雌性都會孵化卵、餵養幼鳥並保持巢穴清潔。

They can create their own nest holes. Nesting sites vary among species. Some are built on soft and dead trees, some are built on hard living trees. Both male and female will incubate the eggs, feed the young, and keep the nest clean.