The Acorn Woodpecker is a highly social species that lives in cooperatively breeding groups of up to 15 birds, jointly maintaining a 'granary tree' — a single tree with thousands of drilled holes each filled with a single acorn for winter food storage. The clown-like face pattern with red cap, white forehead, and black-and-white body is unmistakable. Its rollicking 'waka-waka-waka' call is a sound of western oak woodlands.
Best time to see a Acorn Woodpecker
The best time to see a Acorn Woodpecker is January–July, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 52,851 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Acorn Woodpecker? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Acorn Woodpecker sightings near you
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