When the woodpecker's tongue is retracted, it needs a place to go. Instead of simply retracting into the mouth, the tongue's unique structure allows it to coil around the back of the skull. 

This coiling is possible due to the hyoid apparatus, which acts like a flexible elastic band. This feature not only provides a practical storage solution for the long tongue but also helps protect the bird’s brain during pecking. 

The ability to extend the tongue far beyond the beak tip allows woodpeckers to access food sources that other birds cannot reach. The tongue is often coated with a sticky saliva, helping the bird to capture and pull out insects from deep within the wood.