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Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
39.7355, -121.829
Field Notes
Description:
These Acorn Woodpeckers were at least 60 feet up in some very large trees. I asked them to come closer for better photos but they refused. These birds are medium / large in size, about 9 inches. There were about 6 different woodpeckers flying around the same holes in the tree so it was hard to tell which were male or female. The female is similar and has a black patch between the white forehead and red crown, the male does not.
Habitat:
The Acorn Woodpecker is a year around resident in California anywhere you can find oak trees.
Notes:
Breeding groups may contain as many as 7 male breeders and 3 females. They store nuts in individually drilled holes in trees called granaries. The acorns are jammed in so tight that even squirrels can’t pry them out. I tried to remove an acorn with my fingers and couldn’t do it. I had to use a pocket knife to dislodge it. The attached pictures show their nesting sites and nut storage trees.
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