Acorn Woodpecker

woodpecker · acorn storage · western birds

Master acorn storage. Acorn woodpeckers drill precise holes in tree trunks, each one sized perfectly to fit an acorn snugly. A single tree can have thousands of these holes, creating what looks like a wooden grid.

Exactly medium-sized. These woodpeckers are about 8 inches long and weigh only 3 ounces, making them medium-sized compared to other woodpecker species. That's roughly the size of a robin.

North to South range. You can find acorn woodpeckers from Central America all the way north into the western United States, and south into parts of Colombia. They love areas with oak trees where acorns are plentiful.

Cooperative families. These woodpeckers live together in family groups that work as a team to maintain their acorn storage trees. Everyone in the group helps drill new holes and manage the pantry.

Smart problem solvers. Acorn woodpeckers remember which holes fit which acorns and will actually move acorns to different holes as they dry and shrink to keep them secure.