Acorn Woodpecker Bird Facts (Melanerpes formicivorus)

The Acorn Woodpecker is a striking bird with a clown-like face. It features a black body, a white rump, and a distinctive red crown. Its forehead is white, and its piercing yellow eyes are surrounded by a white facial pattern. The bird's undersides are primarily white with black streaks.

Males and females are similar, but females have a black band between the red crown and white forehead. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage and less distinct facial markings.

The Acorn Woodpecker can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker can be found in Urban habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Acorn Woodpecker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Acorn Woodpeckers are primarily found in oak and pine-oak woodlands throughout western North America, from Oregon to Colombia. They thrive in areas with a mix of oak species that provide a consistent acorn crop.

They are common in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Some populations can also be found in urban areas with sufficient large trees, particularly in the western states.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Acorn Woodpecker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Belize Colombia Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

United States of America

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Canada

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Acorn Woodpecker displays remarkable agility, adeptly manoeuvring through oak woodlands, clinging to tree trunks, and even catching insects mid-flight. Their ability to navigate complex granary structures and perform precise drilling demonstrates exceptional dexterity.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not the strongest bird, Acorn Woodpeckers possess considerable strength for their size. The ability to drill thousands of holes in hard wood for acorn storage and excavate nesting cavities indicates significant muscular power, particularly in their neck and beak.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These woodpeckers show impressive adaptability. Their complex social structure, ability to thrive in various elevations (from sea level to 3,300 metres), and capacity to utilise urban structures as substitute granaries all point to high adaptability. Their diverse diet and food storage behaviour further support this rating.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Acorn Woodpeckers display moderate aggressiveness. While generally social within their family groups, they vigorously defend their valuable granaries and nesting sites. Their raucous calls and 'rattle-call' during territorial disputes suggest a notable level of assertiveness.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The endurance of Acorn Woodpeckers is considerable. Their ability to maintain and defend extensive granaries, engage in cooperative breeding, and perform continuous foraging and acorn-storing activities throughout the year indicates high stamina. Their stable population trend across a wide range also suggests robust endurance.

Acorns form the cornerstone of their diet, supplemented by insects, tree sap, and fruit. They are skilled at catching insects on the wing and will also visit bird feeders for nuts and suet. Their unique habit of storing acorns in granaries ensures a year-round food supply.

Acorn Woodpeckers are highly social, living in family groups of up to 15 individuals. They are famous for their cooperative acorn-storing behavior, creating 'granaries' in trees by drilling thousands of holes to store acorns.

These woodpeckers also engage in communal breeding, where several adults may contribute to raising a single brood.

The Acorn Woodpecker's call is a loud, raucous 'waka-waka' or 'ja-cob, ja-cob'. They also produce a variety of chatter-like sounds and drumming patterns. During territorial disputes or when alarmed, they emit a distinctive 'rattle-call' that sounds like a rapid series of 'wrrk-wrrk-wrrk'.

Acorn Woodpeckers nest in cavities, often using the same tree for many years. They practice cooperative breeding, with multiple adults contributing to nest building, incubation, and chick-rearing. The breeding season typically runs from April to September.

Clutches usually contain 3-7 eggs, which are incubated for about 11-14 days. Nestlings fledge after 30-32 days but may remain with the family group for several months, helping to raise subsequent broods.

The Acorn Woodpecker typically lives for 10 to 15 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 17 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While currently listed as Least Concern, Acorn Woodpeckers face threats from habitat loss due to urban development and climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving oak woodlands and maintaining suitable nesting sites. In some areas, artificial granary poles are being installed to support populations.

Look for them in oak woodlands, especially near large, dead trees used as granaries
Listen for their distinctive 'waka-waka' call
Observe telephone poles and wooden structures in urban areas, which they sometimes use as substitute granaries
Visit wildlife refuges or national parks in California or Arizona for prime viewing opportunities

Main predators include hawks, owls, and tree-climbing snakes. Squirrels and jays may also raid nests for eggs or young.

A single Acorn Woodpecker granary tree can contain up to 50,000 acorn storage holes.
They sometimes store water by punching rows of small holes in cactus plants.
Acorn Woodpeckers have been known to store over 300 pounds of acorns in a single tree.

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