Acorn Woodpecker
photo by Phil Swanson
Melanerpes formicivorus
L 9″ (23 cm)
Song or calls:
Listen (NGPC audio)
Distinctive, raucous “JA-cob, JA-cob.″
Description: Male has a black chin; yellowish throat; white cheeks and forehead; red cap; light eyes; black nape, back, wings, and tail; white belly; and heavy dark streaking on breast and flanks.
Female similar but with a smaller bill and less red on the crown. In flight, conspicuous white rump and small white patches on the outer wings are visible.
Habitat: Found in open oak and pine-oak forests where oak trees are abundant.
Where in Nebraska: Accidental. One seen at a feeder in Holt County during May of 1996.
Field Notes: Range appears to be expanding.
Fun Facts: The Acorn Woodpecker will use human-made structures to store acorns, drilling holes in fenceposts, utility poles, buildings and even automobile radiators.