The Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) is a medium sized woodpecker with a length of around 20 cm (8 in) and an average weight of 85 g (3.0 oz). It is found across Central America, as well as North into the Western United States, specifically, California and South into parts of Colombia. They are cooperative breeders, living and breeding in family groups of up to 15 individuals. Acorn Woodpeckers depend heavily on acorns for food. Acorns are such an important resource to the California populations that Acorn Woodpeckers may nest in the fall to take advantage of the fall acorn crop, a rare behaviour in birds. The Acorn Woodpeckers drill small holes in oak trees or pines especially to store the acorns in their tree granary. A master carpenter of the forest, the Acorn Woodpecker drills thousands of holes to create its unique granary trees for storing acorns which can hold up to 50,000 acorns! Acorns make a significant part of their diet, however they also feed on insects, tree sap, fruits and flowers at different times of the year.
