Acorn Woodpecker

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.

The Acorn Woodpecker's status has changed slightly over the last two decades, moving from a status of Low Risk to Least concern. This species calls a wide range home and can be found in countries such as the United States as well as Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador. The global population is estimated to be nearing 4 million individual birds. While it is believed that the population of this species could be declining, at this time the species does not currently meet the minimum threshold to be considered endangered. It currently has a Least Concern status.

INTERESTING FACTS
Acorns seem to be emergency provisions; on mild winter days these birds catch flying insects. Breeding groups may contain as many as 7 male breeders and 3 females. All breeding males can mate with any and all of the female breeders of the group. The Acorn Woodpecker stores nuts in individually drilled holes in trees called granaries. The acorns are jammed in so tight that even squirrels can’t pry them out. Some of these granary trees have up to 50,000 holes drilled by extended woodpecker families. A group of acorn woodpeckers are collectively known as a "bushel" of woodpeckers.