Pecker
Walking Stick No. 0015
When I look at the handle of this bold walking stick it reminds me of a woodpecker. The picture seen next to this text is a Pileated Woodpecker. Like this collection of Australian bush timber walking sticks woodpeckers are quite remarkable.
Here is a few unique facts about woodpeckers.
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There are no woodpeckers in Australia. That in itself is fascinating and gets you thinking. They are found all over the world but not in Australia . They live off eating insects and grubs in the tree bark and Australia has mobs of bark dwelling insects and grubs.
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The pileated woodpecker pictured here mate for life. The male and female bird will pair and stay together for life.
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And the most unique feature of all. Woodpeckers have a tongue that wraps around their head. Their tongue is extremely long it extends way beyond the long beak to capture insects but also goes out the back of the skull and wraps over the top of the skull. The hole things extends and retracts like a car seatbelt and it acts as a restraint and cushion for the brain when the bird is hammering its beak into the tree. Check out this YouTube video
The stick itself is very strong sturdy stick that can take a lot of weight . Is a fairly straight stick. Made from Eucalyptus porrecta. grey bloodwood thats what I know it as I believe in 1995 botanists changed it to Corymbia porrecta. young botanists always trying to make a name for themselves by changing things. Still Eucalyptus porrecta as far as I am concerned. Suit taller person but of course can be easily shortened. Currently stands 97cm tall. Oiled with linseed oil.
