Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

Tree Clinging

Length: 9 in. (23 cm )

This species is dependent on oaks and acorns for its survival. It stores acorns for the winter by jamming surplus acorns one by one into shallow holes pecked out in a tree, telephone pole or fence post. Up to 50,000 acorns have been counted on the trunk of a single \granary\ tree, but it also stores other nuts when they are available. The Acorn Woodpecker is an unusually noisy species and lives in colonies of up to 16 individuals that are made up of at least two breeding pairs and all their offspring from previous nestings. Commonly attracted to seed feeders and occasionally hummingbird feeders in pine-oak woodlands of foothills, it nests in holes made in trees and poles.

The four-digit banding code is ACWO.

Female | Robert Shantz

Male | Robert Shantz

Oak-pine woodland

Savanna

Download Sound

Bird Sound Type: Buzzing
Sex of Bird: Male

Sonogram Large:

Sonogram Zoom:

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/acorn-woodpecker

Bibliographic details:

Article: Acorn Woodpecker
Author(s): Dr. Biology
Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
Date accessed:
Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/acorn-woodpecker

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:36). Acorn Woodpecker. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/acorn-woodpecker

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Acorn Woodpecker". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/acorn-woodpecker

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Acorn Woodpecker". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/acorn-woodpecker

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

How does eye color get passed from parents to children?

Answer >>

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon Contribute