Piciformes birds are generally arboreal, nest in cavities and have altricial young. All Piciformes have zygodactyl feet (two toes forward and two back), with the exception of a North American genus of three-toed woodpeckers consisting of two members. The zygodactyl arrangement helps birds in climbing and navigating tree trunks and branches. Piciformes are generally insectivorous, exceptions being toucans (mostly fruit) and honeyguides (beeswax). Jacamars (Glabulidae) aside, Piciformes do not have down at any age, only true feathers. The order Piciformes has 410 species of birds divided into 6 families, with the Picidae family (woodpeckers) having more than 200. This order is represented in India by 41 species belonging to 3 families.

Family: Indicatoridae

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus - local resident
 

Family: Megalaimidae

Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica - widespread resident
Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis - local resident
Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii - local resident
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala - widespread resident
Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata - local resident
Crimson-fronted Barbet Megalaima rubricapilla - local resident
Great Barbet Megalaima virens - local resident
White-cheeked Barbet Megalaima viridis - widespread resident
Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica - widespread resident
 

Family: Picidae

Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis - local resident
Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus - widespread resident
Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus - widespread resident
White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus - widespread resident
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos atratus - local resident
Brown-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocopos auriceps - local resident
Grey-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus - local resident
Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius - local resident
Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis - local resident
Himalayan Woodpecker Dendrocopos himalayensis - local resident
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus - local resident
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei - widespread resident
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis - widespread resident
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major - local resident
Brown-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus - widespread resident
Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense - widespread resident
Common Flameback Dinopium javanense - local resident
Himalayan Flameback Dinopium shorii - local resident
Andaman Woodpecker Dryocopus hodgei - local resident
White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis - widespread resident
Pale-headed Woodpecker Gecinulus grantia - local resident
Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente - local resident
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla - local resident & widespread winter visitor
Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus - local resident
Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus - widespread resident
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus - widespread resident
Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus - widespread resident
Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha - widespread resident
Scaly-bellied Woodpecker Picus squamatus - local resident
Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus - widespread resident
White-browed Piculet Sasia ochracea - local resident