- Martha Cerda
- Posted On
Tuleyome Tales: A family pantry
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — I grew up believing that food is meant to be shared with family. To my great surprise, my family is not the only one who thinks so.
Among oak woodlands and local parks is the charismatic acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), a social, rowdy and extremely hardworking species of bird.
The acorn woodpecker also is known as the “clown” bird because of its striking facial color pattern, red crown, and yellowish forehead and throat. Its back is black and slightly bluish with pale white eyes. And like a true clown you can hear it clowning around, projecting big laughs and calls to its family.
When they fly they seem to bounce, going up and down imaginary hills in the air until they reach their destination. It usually inhabits oak forests (Quercus spp.), mixed forests with pine (Pinus) and oak, in addition to spruce (Pseudotsuga) and redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests.
The acorn woodpecker family is like a small colony, composed of a dozen or more birds. They may be monogamous, polyandrous or polygynous. When caring for young, their parenting style is cooperative — one for all and all for one! They take turns feeding and protecting the family's young.
In mid-fall, acorn woodpecker families are in search of acorns. Acorns are the fruits of oak trees. The acorn is a fruit with a hard shell that protects the seed and is protected by a cup-shaped dome on top. Like everything in nature, they are varied, some elongated, others round.
Oak trees have irregular cycles. In some years they produce many acorns, where the floors of trails and parks are covered with these nuts. In a great year, an oak tree can produce up to 10,000 nuts! But curiously in other years, there is no trace of any.
Most species of woodpeckers typically use their chisel-like beaks to peck trees and build their nests. In the bird world, the acorn woodpecker is the only one that, apart from using its beak to build nests, also uses it to store food. This behavior and great strength help to create holes and store acorns to eat in the winter.
These acorns are collected by and for the whole family. The family cares for and protects the same oak tree that is maintained and used for generations.
Holes are drilled in dry trunks and branches. Dry trees are preferred, as the sap can affect the acorns. One family may drill millions of holes in a single tree. This is known as a granary tree. But the work doesn’t end after the holes are created — the fun is just beginning!
The birds will now have the responsibility of checking that the acorns are not loose. If they are, they are moved to a better fitting hole, because if the acorns get loose, they will be food for other companions — such as the California ground squirrel or the California scrub jay.
Oak trees are not the only places where acorns are stored. These clever birds have adapted to using human-made structures. Holes can be seen in telephone poles, house shingles, virtually any structure made of wood. In some cases, they use natural holes.
And as in any family pantry, food varies. The diet of the acorn woodpecker, in addition to acorns, includes fruits, insects, flowers and sap.
This season, remember that where there’s an oak tree, there’s sure to be an acorn woodpecker. When you least expect it, you will hear the “waka, waka, waka” cackle echoing around. When you hear it, you may not be able to see it, but you will still be able to appreciate what a determined, family bird it is.
Martha Cerda is a naturalist in Pleasanton, a city in the East Bay. She works at a historic park interpreting the local and natural history of the site. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the endless beauty of nature and connecting with diverse communities. Tuleyome is a Woodland, California-based nonprofit conservation organization.