Why are there no woodpeckers in Australia?

Woodpeckers are not native to Australia due to the continent's unique evolutionary history and ecological conditions. The absence of suitable habitats, such as old-growth forests with specific tree types that woodpeckers prefer, may also play a role. Additionally, Australia has its own diverse range of birds that occupy similar ecological niches, such as the pardalotes and treecreepers, which fill the roles that woodpeckers occupy in other parts of the world.