![]() The communal habits of Acorn Woodpeckers are characteristic of the species. While not the only bird species to utilize or store acorns, this species certainly takes it to the extreme! According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, these storage areas may have up to 50,000 acorn holes in them.īird Note also tells us that utility poles, fence posts, or the sides of barns will do in a pinch when a tree isn’t available. They spend a significant amount of their time associated with granary trees-trees in which they bore holes or use natural notches and cracks to store acorns. ![]() While other woodpeckers are usually seeking insects when they drill into trees, the Acorn Woodpecker feeds mostly on flying or terrestrial insects, seeds, and fruits as well as high-caloric acorns which they store for winter. In a win-win arrangement, the woodpeckers are also helping distribute acorns that may seed new oak trees. They prefer oak woodlands with a more open understory and rely on mature oaks for both food storage and nest sites. In California and Oregon, and slightly into Washington, they are associated with oaks in the genus Quercus, often the Oregon white oak or the black oak. The Acorn Woodpecker is an oak woodland specialist, relying on oaks for food, shelter and nest cavities. Global Distribution of the Acorn Woodpecker Map from Cornell Lab of Ornithology Habits and Habitats They are also relatively tolerant of human activity so if you have oaks, you may be lucky enough to listen to and watch their unique antics. Within the Pacific Birds region, they are a common resident in parts of California and Oregon and to a lesser extent southwest Washington. Though most populations are non-migratory, if acorns are not plentiful or there is not adequate oak habitat, these birds may seek out new areas with more culinary options. The Acorn Woodpecker ( Melanerpes formicivorus) is typically a resident species found in select habitats from southern British Columbia to northern South America. ![]() If you are in oak country within their range, their red cap and white eye, waka waka-like calls, and often communal habitats may draw your attention. With its unique social dynamics and unyielding focus on storing acorns the Acorn Woodpecker makes a distinct impression. What do Universal Studios, a raucous laughing call, and one of the longest-running behavioral studies of birds all have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a joke-all these identifiers actually refer to one unique bird, the Acorn Woodpecker.īelieved to be the inspiration behind Woody Woodpecker’s iconic call, the Acorn Woodpecker easily engages the imagination. ![]() He was banded in New Jersey and found six years later in South Carolina.This article was originally published by Pacific Birds The oldest known Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was a male, and at least 7 years, 9 months old.Females tend to migrate farther south than do males. Although a few individuals remain throughout much of the winter in the southern part of the breeding range, most head farther south, going as far south as Panama. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only woodpecker in eastern North America that is completely migratory.The sapsucker seems to suffer no ill effects of whacking its bill on metal, and a bird will return to a favorite sign day after day to pound out its Morse code-like message. Street signs and metal chimney flashing amplify the irregular tapping of a territorial sapsucker. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker frequently uses human-produced materials to help in its territorial drumming.Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have been found drilling sapwells in more than 1,000 species of trees and woody plants, though they have a strong preference for birches and maples.Other birds as well as bats and porcupines also visit sapsucker sapwells. In some parts of Canada, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds rely so much on sapwells that they time their spring migration with the arrival of sapsuckers. The sapwells made by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers attract hummingbirds, which also feed off the sap flowing from the tree.New holes usually are made in a line with old holes, or in a new line above the old. The sapsucker licks the sap from these holes, and eats the cambium of the tree too. Rectangular holes are shallower, and must be maintained continually for the sap to flow. The sapsucker inserts its bill into the hole to probe for sap. Round holes extend deep in the tree and are not enlarged. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker makes two kinds of holes in trees to harvest sap.
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