Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

Acorn Woodpeckers are closely associated with oak woods and are most often found in pine-oak woodlands. These bold and striking birds live in complex social units, storing and guarding acorns as an extended family, and cooperatively raising their young. These groups may include multiple breeding adults, often with twice as many males as female breeding adults. Groups usually have more non-breeding members than breeders, and these will contribute to the rearing of the season’s newest generation.

As one might guess from their name, these birds will gather and store thousands of acorns, placing them in tight fitting holes made in a standing tree (live or dead) called a larder tree. As the acorns dry, they shrink. These birds will monitor the status of their cache and move the acorns into smaller holes as they shrink.

Acorn Woodpecker (Woody-theWoodpecker)

Acorn WoodPecker Chatter

Acorn Woodpecker - Melanerpes formicivorus — **Acorn Woodpecker**
*(Melanerpes formicivorus)*

**Description:**
(Melanerpes formicivorus) Seen at Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County USA 2008-06-26.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2008:06:26 10:55

**Location:**

Dos Picos Park
Ramona, California
United States
1555.20 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1250

**File Name:** JCD7398AcornWoodPecker

© 2008 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Pin It — **Acorn Woodpecker**
*(Melanerpes formicivorus)*

**Description:**
(Melanerpes formicivorus) Seen at Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County USA 2008-06-26.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2008:06:26 10:55

**Location:**

Dos Picos Park
Ramona, California
United States
1555.20 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1250

**File Name:** JCD7398AcornWoodPecker

© 2008 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Acorn Woodpeckers — **_jcd8882AcornWoodPecker.nef_jcd8882AcornWoodPecker.nef**

**Description:**
(Melanerpes formicivorus) Usually found in communal groups, these birds were seen at Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County USA 2008-07-22.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2008:07:22 15:01

**Location:**

Goodan Ranch
Poway, California
United States
711.97 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/200

**File Name:** jcd8882AcornWoodPecker

© 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Click map markers to reveal further information