Range: Non-migratory, ranges from Oregon and California south to Colombia Life span in the wild: Approximately:12 years Length: 9' Wingspan: 17' Weight: 2.8 oz (80 gm) Any later than two weeks and the displaced bird will be rejected and chased away from the food source, and will starve to death. The behaviour of acorn woodpeckers was compared in two locations (New Mexico and California) to test the hypothesis that saturation of the habitat by. Territory Quality and Dispersal Options in the Acorn Woodpecker, and a Challenge to the Habitat-Saturation Model of Cooperative Breeding. This bird relies on the storing of acorns to. When an Acorn Woodpecker is found injured or orphaned, it is extremely important to the rehabilitator that the bird is returned within two weeks to the exact colony from which it came, since its place in the commune will be filled by another woodpecker. During the breeding season, this species is a frugivore: upper-canopy gleaner insectivore: bark gleaner. The Acorn Woodpecker is a Woodpecker that has its habitat near and its oak forests. South Dakota Status: Non-resident in South.

They are very territorial and status-conscious, normally tolerating only other members of their group. Habitat: Acorn Woodpeckers are nearly always found near oak trees. It's a complex society, divided between the breeders and 'helpers', which are usually the group's offspring. Their stiff tail props them upright while they climb the tree and drill holes.īehavior: The species is unique in that it's a very close familial and communal bird, sharing nesting and rearing duties with the up to 15 members within its colony. A woodpecker's feet are zygodactyl, which means two toes forward and two toes backward, and are ideally adapted to climbing trees. The base of their tongue wraps around the skull, anchoring behind the nostrils, and extends far enough to reach deep into wood-bores to catch a grub. They also feed on ants (its Latin name means 'ant-eater'), beetles, flying insects, and wild fruit.Īnatomy: All woodpeckers have a skull that is thick and shock-absorbing, which allows them to withstand their constant hammering. Called a granary, this cache serves as an emergency pantry. Acorn woodpeckers must deal with birds of prey, greedy ground squirrels and a hectic gathering schedule to protect their treasured acorn hoard. pocked with thousands of small holes and stuffed tightly with acorns. Maintain snags and older trees with dead limbs.Melanerpes formicivorus - Acorn Woodpeckerįood and Eating Habits: Look for an oak tree or a telephone pole or even the side of a wood building. Habitat saturation and communal breeding in the Acorn Woodpeckers. Work with private landowners to maintain and restore oak woodlands with open understories, especially in large patches. Birds exhibited a preference for large Pinus. Improve understanding of nesting ecology, especially nest site requirements. Acorn Woodpeckers also compete with European Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris) for nesting cavities in some areas. Remaining birds persist locally and in small numbers. Every fall they stash as many as thousands of acorns in holes drilled into dead tree stumps in preparation for winter. Mumme Version: 1.0 Published March 4, 2020.

LC Least Concern Names (24) Subspecies (7) Walter D. Loss of oak woodlands, particularly in the Willamette Valley, poses a major threat to Acorn Woodpeckers and other oak habitat specialists. Acorn woodpeckers are renowned food hoarders. Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Scientific name definitions. They are dependent upon dead limbs or snags for storing acorns. It has the fastest-growing human population in the state resulting in challenges due to land-use changes.Īcorn Woodpeckers prefer oak woodlands with high canopies and relatively open understories. Though there are many birds that call Colorado home, it is known for its wide collection of woodpecker species that frequently inhabit the state. This long mostly level alluvial plain has some scattered areas of low basalt, and contrasts with productive farmland and large urban areas. This state is known for its many forests and large State Parks that are often the perfect backdrop for all kinds of wildlife to flourish. The Willamette Valley ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range.

Acorn woodpecker habitat