Nuttall's Woodpecker

The Nuttall's woodpecker, named in honor of the naturalist Thomas Nuttall, is a bird that adorns the oak woodlands of California with its presence. This species exhibits a striking plumage of black wings and tail feathers, elegantly barred with white. The underparts are a crisp white, adorned with black spots and barring, while the forehead is a solid black with white streaks gracing the sides. A distinctive feature of the adult male is its vibrant red crown, a trait absent in the female but present in juveniles of both sexes. These woodpeckers are equipped with zygodactyl feet and stiff tail feathers, adaptations that enable them to cling vertically to tree trunks with ease. They are relatively small, weighing between 30 to 45 grams and measuring 16 to 18 centimeters in length.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Nuttall's woodpecker, look for the characteristic black and white barring on the wings and tail. The male's red crown is a key distinguishing feature, along with the unbarred black patch at the top of the back. Their vertical foraging stance on tree trunks is typical of woodpeckers and can aid in identification.

Habitat

Nuttall's woodpeckers favor the arid to mesic woodlands, showing a particular preference for oak habitats. They can also be found in riparian areas and chaparral, especially in the southernmost parts of their range where oaks are less abundant.

Distribution

This non-migratory bird's range is primarily within northern California, stretching southward to the northwest of Baja California, Mexico. They inhabit elevations from sea level up to 1,250 meters, and occasionally up to 2,000 meters. Their presence has been noted as far east as Central Wyoming.

Behaviour

Nuttall's woodpeckers are fairly common within their range and are not considered globally threatened. They exhibit a social monogamy with both male and female participating in raising their young. The species is known for its bi-parental care, with new nests being excavated annually.

Song & calls

The vocal repertoire of the Nuttall's woodpecker is quite distinctive, lacking any harmonic quality. Their calls include a simple call note for pair communication, a double call serving a similar purpose but also as a low-threat alarm, a rattle call for territory establishment, and a kweek call primarily used by females prior to copulation. Both sexes engage in drumming, with rolls lasting over a second.

Breeding

Breeding season sees pair bonding from late January to March, with egg-laying predominantly in April and May. Nests are freshly excavated each year in dead trees, with clutch sizes ranging from three to six eggs. The male incubates the eggs at night, while the female takes the day shift. After an incubation period of up to 14 days, fledglings leave the nest around 29 days post-hatch, with parental care continuing for a further 14 days.

Similar Species

The Nuttall's woodpecker bears a close resemblance to the ladder-backed woodpecker in both genetics and appearance. However, hybrids between the two are a rarity.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists primarily of insect larvae, including those of wood borers, click beetles, and ants. These are sourced by tapping and probing into oak tree crevices. Additionally, they feed on sap from holes created by red-breasted sapsuckers and consume various berry seeds.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Nuttall's woodpecker as Least Concern. With a population estimated at over 100,000 individuals, there are no apparent trends indicating a decline. Their habitat within the California Endemic Bird Area does not currently face significant threats.