Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
A single granary tree can contain up to 50,000 holes, each meticulously drilled to hold a specific acorn.
- Scientific name
- Melanerpes formicivorus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Piciformes › Picidae › Melanerpes
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Oak woodlands, mixed evergreen forests, and suburban parks with mature oak stands.
- Diet
- Primarily acorns, supplemented by flying insects, sap, and fruit.
- Range
- Western United States, Mexico, Central America, Northern Andes
- Size
- 19–23 cm length; 65–90 g weight
- Lifespan
- Up to 16 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss, removal of dead trees (snags), and competition for nesting cavities from invasive species like European Starlings.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and fascinating to watch. Observe from a distance to avoid disrupting their complex social behaviors. Do not attempt to feed them or disturb their granary trees, as these are vital for their winter survival.
The acorn woodpecker ( Melanerpes formicivorus ) is a medium-sized woodpecker, 21 cm (8.3 in) long, with an average weight of 85 g (3.0 oz).
Photo: Dmitry Mozzherin, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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