Acorn Woodpecker

The Acorn Woodpecker is one of the most recognizable and socially complex woodpeckers, living in family groups across oak woodlands of the western United States, Mexico, and Central America. Its striking clown-like face - pale eyes, black-and-white markings, and a red cap - makes it easy to identify at a glance.

It is best known for its habit of drilling thousands of small holes into a single "granary" tree or structure, each hole snugly fitted with a single acorn for later use by the group.

• Face: bold black-and-white pattern with a pale, almost white iris
• Crown: red cap in both sexes, though the extent of black on the forehead differs
• Back: glossy black, contrasting with white rump and wing patches visible in flight
• Underparts: whitish with black streaking on the upper breast
• Vs. Lewis's Woodpecker: Acorn Woodpecker shows a crisp black-and-white clown face with a red cap, unlike the dark red face and pinkish belly of Lewis's Woodpecker

Males show a red cap extending closer to the bill, separated from a black forehead band, while females show a wider black forehead band between the bill and the red cap. Juveniles have dark eyes rather than the pale adult iris and a duller, less defined face pattern. A single annual molt follows breeding.

Resident in oak and oak-pine woodland from the western and southwestern United States south through Mexico and Central America into parts of South America's northern Andes. It is non-migratory and depends on a reliable annual acorn crop within its territory.

Lives in cooperative family groups that jointly defend and maintain granary trees, riddled with holes each holding a single stored acorn for later use, alongside foraging for insects caught in flight or gleaned from bark. Nesting is also cooperative, with multiple group members helping raise young in a shared cavity. Calls include loud, raucous "waka-waka" notes exchanged constantly within the group.