allometry of the trabeculae allows the skeleton to tolerate loads without significantly increasing the bone mass. The Red-Tailed Hawk optimizes its weight with a repeating pattern of V-shaped struts that give the bones the necessary lightweight and stiff characteristics. The inner network of trabeculae shifts mass away from the neutral axis, which ultimately increases the resistance to buckling. As in humans, the distribution of trabeculae in bird species is uneven and is dependent on load conditions. The bird with the highest density of trabeculae is the kiwi, a flightless bird. There is also uneven distribution of trabeculae within similar species such as the great spotted woodpecker or grey-headed woodpecker. After examining a microCT scan of the woodpecker's forehead, temporomandibulum, and occiput it was determined that there is significantly more trabeculae in the forehead and occiput. Besides the difference in distribution, the aspect ratio of the individual struts was higher in woodpeckers than in other birds of similar size such as the Eurasian Hoopoe or the lark. The woodpeckers’ trabeculae are more plate-like while the hawk and lark have rod-like structures networked through their bones. The decrease in strain on the woodpecker's brain has been attributed to the higher quantity of thicker plate-like struts packed more closely together than the hawk or hoopoe or the lark. Conversely, the thinner rod-like structures would lead to greater deformation. A destructive mechanical test with 12 samples show the woodpecker's trabeculae design has an average ultimate strength of 6.38MPa, compared to the lark's 0.55MPa. Woodpeckers' beaks have tiny struts supporting the shell of the beak, but to a lesser extent compared to the skull. As a result of fewer trabeculae in the beak, the beak has a higher stiffness (1.0 GPa) compared to the skull (0.31 GPa). While the beak absorbs some of the impact from pecking, most of the impact is transferred to the skull where more trabeculae are actively available to absorb the shock. The ultimate strength of woodpeckers' and larks' beaks are similar, inferring the beak has a lesser role in impact absorption. One measured advantage of the woodpecker's beak is the slight overbite (upper beak is 1.6mm longer than lower beak) which offers a bimodal distribution of force due to the asymmetric surface contact. The staggered timing of impact induces a lower strain on the trabeculae in the forehead, occiput, and beak. Trabecula in other organisms The larger the animal, the