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Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

General Description: Acorn Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) are black and white woodpeckers with a red cap. The black-and-white face pattern resembles the painted face of a clown, and sometimes these birds are affectionately called "clown-face woodpeckers." The entire back is black, the underparts are white with black streaks coming off a black bib, the eye is white, and the chin shows a faint yellow wash. In flight, the wings and rump show white patches.

Taxonomy: Piciformes, Picidae, Picinae.

Favored Habitat: Areas with oak trees.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

Where to Find: Around Las Vegas, look for Acorn Woodpeckers in urban areas with oak trees during winter. Acorn Woodpeckers are common in the oak belts of California, Arizona, and New Mexico, southward into Central America. Birds occasionally come to Las Vegas during the winter.

Comments: Acorn Woodpeckers are social birds that live in colonies. During fall and winter, they collect acorns and store them in holes pecked in trees (granaries) for times when acorns are scarce. The entire colony works to guard the granary. During summer, the diet of Acorn Woodpeckers is similar to that of other woodpecker: they eat insects.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) If you were a tasty acorn, this might be the last face you'd ever see!
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker; Portal, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker; Madera Canyon, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker; Portal, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker at peanut butter feeder; Portal, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Woodpecker hole in a date palm tree
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker; Portal, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker larder tree; Portal, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker larder tree; Portal, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker larder tree; Portal, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Tucking an acorn into a niche in the bark of a date palm tree
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Larder in a pine tree, Sequoia National Park, California
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Larder in a pine tree, Sequoia National Park, California
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Larder in a pine tree, Sequoia National Park, California
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Larder in a pine tree, Sequoia National Park, California
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker working on a Fan Palm tree
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker working on a birdseed feeder
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker; Portal, Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Acorn Woodpecker on an agave stalk
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 231005
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