Acorn Woodpeckers - Woody Woodpecker Was Created Based On One

As a kid I watched cartoons, ya I know most kids do that no news here.  One of them featured an annoying bird called Woody Woodpecker.  The cartoon was quite popular.  The bird it was created from is called the Acorn Woodpecker.  

The bird is found in the U.S., Mexico and further down into Colombia.  They have also been found in parts of Canada.  Acorn Woodpeckers have a call that sounds similar to a laugh.  

Woody Woodpecker came into being after Walter Lantz and his wife were on their honeymoon.  An Acorn Woodpecker kept them awake during their stay at a cabin and Lantz was not to pleased.  His bride knew he was a cartoonist and suggested creating a cartoon, Lantz wanted to 86 the bird LOL.  He spared the bird and created the cartoon which has become famous and has been around since 1940.

The Acorn and other woodpeckers are amazing creatures.  For example they have air pockets that cushion it's brain from injury and the speed they peck at is 12MPH or 19.3 KM/H I do not recommend pretending to be a woodpecker ouch.

Check out the article on Britannica.com it has some interesting facts about woodpeckers in  general.  And if you want to see cartoons featuring Woody Woodpecker just GOOOOOGLE IT.  Happy Friday! and thanks for stopping by.

Cliff T.