A boldly black-white-and-red woodpecker famous for "granary trees" — drilling thousands of holes in dead oaks to store acorns. Lives in cooperative family groups of up to 12 individuals.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The acorn woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with a length of around 20 cm (8 in), and an average weight of 85 g (3.0 oz). It is found across Central America, as well as North into the western United States and South into parts of Colombia.
Source: Wikipedia — Acorn woodpecker Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Striking black-and-white woodpecker with bright red cap and white forehead; "clown-faced" facial pattern.
Similar species. Other woodpeckers (different patterns). Lewis's Woodpecker (greenish back).
Voice. Loud "waka-waka" calls; raucous group calls.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Acorns (cached in granary trees), insects (caught in flight), sap, fruit.
Behavior. Lives in cooperative family groups of up to 12. Stores tens of thousands of acorns in custom-drilled holes in granary trees used for 50+ years.
§ Range
Western and southwestern US into Mexico and Central America
§ Habitat
Oak and oak-pine woodlands
§ Threats
Oak woodland loss, oak diseases, fire suppression.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the acorn woodpecker is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support oak woodland conservation. Plant native oaks. Maintain large oaks in landscaping.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Acorn woodpecker
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Melanerpes formicivorus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22680810
- iNaturalist · taxon 18142
- eBird · acowoo
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Melanerpes formicivorus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2018
