Wildbird
HOME Bird name:

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorusOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)

Breeding Location:

Forest



Breeding Type:

Cooperative, Communal



Breeding Population:

Fairly common to common



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

3 - 7



Incubation Days:

11 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Wood chips in base of cavity.



Migration:

Some migrate



Splitbar
BEYOND THE BACKYARD...
800+ BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA
FORUMS - ID HELP - ARTICLES - FREE SOFTWARE - MUCH MORE
If you like the Project Wildbird ID Engine you may want to check out the WhatBird North America database - the gold standard of bird identification that Project Wildbird is based on.

Whatbird.com - a commercial web site - offers the same search capability for every bird in North America, including rare and vagrants, shorebirds, raptors, even extinct species. You'll find the same outstanding illustrations, bird calls, plus these features:

Browse Birds - view birds by location, shape, color, size, etc.

Bird Expert - guides you ID with simple questions

Forum - Visit our Identification Forum and get personal answers from our ornithologists David Lukas and Simone Whitecloud.

FORUMS - ID HELP - ARTICLES - FREE SOFTWARE - MUCH MORE

Overview

Acorn Woodpecker: Medium-sized, clown-faced woodpecker with red crown, glossy black-and-white head, and glaring white eyes. Black patch around base of bill. Body is black with white rump and belly. One or more red- or yellow-tipped throat feathers may be present. Wings are black with white patches.

Range and Habitat

Acorn Woodpecker: Year-round resident from southern Oregon south through California, and in Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas; also found in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open oak and pine-oak forests.

Breeding and Nesting

Acorn Woodpecker: Three to seven white eggs are laid in a hole in a tree. Incubation ranges from 11 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents. Usually nests in colonies with all members sharing in excavation of holes, mostly in dead oak branches.

Foraging and Feeding

Acorn Woodpecker: Primary diet consists of insects, sap, oak catkins, fruits, and flower nectar; acorns are critical for winter survival. Occasionally eats grass seeds, lizards, and bird eggs. Most foraging is performed in or near the canopy; rarely goes to the ground except to pick up grit and fallen acorns.

Readily Eats

Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Sugar Water, Fruit

Vocalization

Acorn Woodpecker: Emits a loud "ja-cob, ja-cob" or "wake-up, wake-up."

Similar Species

Acorn Woodpecker: White-headed Woodpecker is similar, but lacks white rump and has an entirely white face and crown, and a black belly.

.

Copyright © 2005 WBFI Research Foundation Bird database and its related content and media is Copyright (C) 2002 - 2005 Mitch Waite Group All rights reserved.

Family Woodpecker (Picidae)_blue
Species Melanerpes formicivorus
Length9 Inches
Wingspan17 Inches

Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpecker: Medium-sized, clown-faced woodpecker with red crown, glossy black-and-white head, and glaring white eyes. Black patch around base of bill. Body is black with white rump and belly. One or more red- or yellow-tipped throat feathers may be present. Wings are black with white patches.

● Song: "ja-cob, ja-cob", "wake-up, wake-up"

● Foraging & Feeding: Acorn Woodpecker: Primary diet consists of insects, sap, oak catkins, fruits, and flower nectar; acorns are critical for winter survival. Occasionally eats grass seeds, lizards, and bird eggs. Most foraging is performed in or near the canopy; rarely goes to the ground except to pick up grit and fallen acorns.

● Breeding & nesting: Acorn Woodpecker: Three to seven white eggs are laid in a hole in a tree. Incubation ranges from 11 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents. Usually nests in colonies with all members sharing in excavation of holes, mostly in dead oak branches.

● Similar species: Acorn Woodpecker: White-headed Woodpecker is similar, but lacks white rump and has an entirely white face and crown, and a black belly.

Flight Pattern

Undulating flight., Several rapid wing beats and then a pause.
Acorn Woodpecker Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Acorn Woodpecker: Year-round resident from southern Oregon south through California, and in Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas; also found in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open oak and pine-oak forests.
BreedingCooperative, Communal
PopulationFairly common to common
MigrationSome migrate
Weight2.9 Ounces