Nuttall's Woodpecker
Dryobates nuttallii
Visual Identification
Appearance
Nuttall's Woodpecker is a small, striking bird with a black and white barred back, wings, and tail. The underparts are white with black spots on the sides. The bill is gray, the eyes are reddish, and the feet and legs are a dark olive-gray.
Males have a distinctive red crown patch, while females lack this feature, with a solid black cap. A faint reddish wash may be visible on the heads of some females.
Juveniles resemble adults but have a duller plumage and, in males, a smaller red crown patch. The bird's plumage remains consistent throughout the year, with no seasonal variations.
Size
Length
16.5cm to 18cm
Wingspan
33cm to 36cm
Weight
30g to 45g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Nuttall's Woodpeckers are endemic to California and northern Baja California, Mexico. They inhabit oak woodlands, riparian forests, and mixed oak pine forests, showing a strong preference for areas with abundant oak trees.
These birds are year-round residents throughout their range, with no significant seasonal movements.
They are commonly found in suburban areas and parks within their distribution, adapting well to human-modified landscapes that retain suitable tree cover.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 1,700 meters
Climate zones
Mediterranean, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Nuttall's 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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird 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.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Nuttall's Woodpeckers display remarkable agility, spiralling up tree trunks and along branches with ease. Their ability to manoeuvre swiftly whilst foraging and their adept flight skills during courtship chases demonstrate high agility.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not exceptionally strong for their size, these woodpeckers possess sufficient strength to excavate nest cavities in dead trees and drill into wood for insects. Their strength is specialised for their foraging and nesting behaviours.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These birds show good adaptability, thriving in various habitats from sea level to 1,700 metres elevation. Their ability to inhabit suburban areas and parks, as well as natural woodlands, indicates a strong capacity to adapt to different environments.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Nuttall's Woodpeckers are not particularly aggressive birds. They form mixed-species foraging flocks outside breeding season, suggesting a relatively peaceful nature. However, they likely defend their territories during breeding, accounting for some level of aggression.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Their active foraging behaviour, involving constant movement along tree trunks and branches, suggests good endurance. The ability to drum rapidly and engage in chasing flights during courtship also indicates a fair level of stamina.
Diet
Nuttall's Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects, particularly wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, and spiders.
Nuts, seeds, fruits, and berries – blackberries, elderberries, and the seeds of poison oaks – are also eaten, particularly in winter months. Despite a preference for living in oak woodlands, acorns are relatively unimportant in their diet.
These woodpeckers often probe bark crevices and drill into wood to extract hidden prey using their long, sticky tongues.
Behaviour
Nuttall's Woodpeckers are highly active, often seen spiraling up tree trunks and along branches in search of food. They frequently join mixed-species foraging flocks outside the breeding season, associating with chickadees, titmice, and other small birds.
Drumming contests between rival Nuttall’s woodpeckers have been known to quickly escalate into physical interactions, particularly evident between males from territories alongside each other.
Vocalisation
The Nuttall's Woodpecker's most common call is a sharp, high-pitched 'pik' or 'pick' sound, often repeated in a series.
During the breeding season, males produce a distinctive rattling call, described as a rapid 'pitit-pitit-pitit'. Their drumming is quick and brief, lasting about a second.
Nesting & Breeding
Nuttall's Woodpeckers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically from April to July. Courtship involves drumming displays and chasing flights between potential mates.
The pair excavates a new nest cavity yearly, usually in a dead tree or branch. The female lays 3-6 white eggs in the unlined cavity. Both parents share incubation duties.
Incubation lasts about 14 days, and nestlings remain in the cavity for approximately 29 days before fledging. Both parents feed and care for the young for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While Nuttall's Woodpecker is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural expansion.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving oak woodlands and riparian corridors in California, which are crucial for this species' survival.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Nuttall's Woodpeckers in oak woodlands and riparian areas
- Listen for their sharp 'pik' call or rapid drumming on trees
- Observe their distinctive black and white barred pattern as they move along tree trunks
- Check bird feeders, especially those offering suet
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and occasionally domestic cats in urban areas. Nest predators may include raccoons and snakes.
Did You Know?
- Nuttall's Woodpeckers are named after the English botanist Thomas Nuttall.
- They play a crucial role in creating nesting cavities used by other bird species.
- These woodpeckers can drink sap directly from holes drilled by sapsuckers.
FAQs
Do Nuttall's Woodpeckers go to bird feeders?
Despite being naturally at home in woodland settings, Nuttall’s woodpeckers have become more widespread in suburban areas in recent years and are no strangers to backyard feeders. When visiting gardens, they are particularly partial to suet enriched with dried insects.
References
- 3 4
book: BBL - Longevity Records of North American Birds
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Dryobates nuttallii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22681149A92894366.
View source - 2
website, 2022: Partners in Flight
View source
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