acorn woodpecker
Quick Summary
The acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) is a bird found from the Pacific coast of the U.S. south to Colombia. It is known for storing acorns, the nuts of oak trees, in small holes it digs, especially in tree bark. This behavior is also noted in the California woodpecker, a subspecies found in the Pacific states. Woodpeckers, in general, are birds known for probing tree bark for insects and excavating nest holes in deadwood. Their ability to create nest holes is a significant factor in their success, allowing them to exploit niches unavailable to other birds.12345
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