- "In the old days, the Choctaw called it the Biskinik."
- ―Taloa Lopez to Maya Lopez[src]
Woodpeckers, also known as Biskinik by the Choctaw, are a species of birds that use their beaks to carve wood.
History[]
Welcoming the Choctaw[]
A woodpecker lands on Chafa
A woodpecker found a hidden cave just under the surface of the land. In doing so, it also found Chafa and her people. The woodpecker landed on Chafa's hand as her powers engulfed the cave, saving everyone from the collapsing interior. When the rubble cleared, the woodpecker landed on Chafa's shoulder as she and her group walked away from the destruction.[2]
Messages from the Biskinik[]
- "The Choctaw would tell the bird what to say, and it would tap out messages on the trees, warning when enemies approached."
- ―Taloa Lopez to Maya Lopez[src]
When the Choctaw roamed the land prominently, they had a special relationship with woodpeckers, calling them Biskinik. To help, they told the Biskinik messages. The birds would then carve out the messages into trees using their beaks. These messages would warn fellow Choctaw when enemies were approaching.[1]
Tales of the Biskinik[]
A woodpecker is injured by Maya Lopez
- "It's hurt. I found it. It fell from a tree."
"The bird didn't just fall, did it?"
"I didn't mean to hurt it. I just wanted to see if I could hit it." - ―Maya Lopez and Taloa Lopez[src]
Maya Lopez was playing in the woods when she saw a woodpecker. Curious, Lopez took a slingshot and managed to strike the woodpecker, causing it to fall. Feeling awful about her actions, Lopez ran the bird over to her mother at the Battiest Residence. Although Lopez lied, saying it fell, Taloa knew that Lopez had hit it. Lopez apologized while Taloa said that she should not hurt innocent, living things. Lopez worried about it being hurt, but Taloa used her powers to heal the bird.[1]
A woodpecker warns Chula Battiest
In 2007, Chula Battiest and Skully left the Battiest Residence to go home. However, as they left the driveway, Battiest noticed a biskinik on the post. This got her very worried. Her worries came true as her daughter, Taloa, died that night.[2]
Warnings[]
A woodpecker at the Choctaw Nation Powwow
In 2025, Maya Lopez was sitting at a diner when Biscuits texted her saying that Chula Battiest and Bonnie did not show up to the Choctaw Nation Powwow. Lopez became worried, but jumped up out of her seat when she saw a woodpecker on the post as she realized it was a warning. When she arrived at the powwow, a woodpecker arrived as well.[1]
Characteristic Traits[]
Woodpeckers are known for their strong beaks that are able to effectively pierce wood. They also possess a spiritual connection with the Choctaw and use their beaks to carve out messages into trees to warn the Choctaw of incoming enemies.
Appearances[]
In chronological order:
Echo | Episode 1.01: Chafa (flashbacks)- Echo | Episode 1.03: Tuklo (depiction; flashbacks)
- Echo | Episode 1.05: Maya (flashbacks)
- Echo | Episode 1.04: Taloa (flashbacks)
- Echo | Episode 1.01: Chafa
- Echo | Episode 1.05: Maya
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