Acorn Woodpecker
Location: 488 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
The Oak Tree Bankers: The Acorn Woodpecker in Your Neighborhood
The Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) is one of California's most fascinating and social woodpeckers, famous for storing thousands of acorns in special "granary trees."
Size: 8–9 inches long.
Look: Black back, white face and throat, dark chest, and bright red crown on males. Females have a smaller red area on the head.
Bay Area Schedule: Year-round resident. Family groups often defend the same territory for many years.
Fascinating Facts
The Acorn Architects: Acorn Woodpeckers drill thousands of tiny holes into trees, poles, fences, and wooden structures to store acorns.
The Living Pantry: Their granary trees can hold thousands of nuts and serve as a community food supply.
A Family Business: Several adults may work together to raise chicks, defend territory, and maintain the acorn storage tree.
The Acorn Quality Check: They regularly move drying acorns into smaller holes to keep their food supply secure.
How to Welcome Them: Support Oak-Loving Neighbors
Plant native oak trees.
Preserve mature trees and safe dead branches when possible to provide nesting and insect habitat.
Provide water sources.
Plant an Oak Haven
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia): The most important habitat tree, providing acorns, insects, and nesting sites.