- Dryobates nuttallii
Picoides nuttallii
Identification
- Black and white barred back, wings, and outer tail
- White undersides with spotted flanks
- Black and white striped face
Male: Red nape
Female: Black crown
Juvenile: Red crown
Similar Species
Ladder-backed Woodpecker of the desert southwest is paler, with narrower black bars on back and face. Barring extends to upper back. Has different voice. Range barely overlaps.
Distribution
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Pacific coast of North America: across California to northern Baja California, Mexico. Isolated population east of the Sierra Nevada along Owens River in Inyo County. |
| Legend |
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Chaparral and oak woodlands.
Behaviour
Breeding
Nest holes are excavated in trees. The clutch consists of 3-6 eggs which are incubated by both parents for about two weeks.
Diet
Diet includes insects such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, and bugs.
Vocalisation
Common call is a distinctive rapid low rattle recalling Belted Kingfisher. Also double pitit or single pit notes recalling Western Tanager.
Movements
Mostly resident with some altitudinal movement. Casual records outside breeding range.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Sibley, DA. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 978-0679451228
- Lowther, P. E., P. Pyle, and M. A. Patten (2020). Nuttall's Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.nutwoo.01
- Brinkley, Edward S. 2007. Field Guide to Birds of North America. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
- Winkler, H. & Christie, D.A. (2020). Nuttall's Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/56232 on 1 April 2020).
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Nuttall's Woodpecker. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 April 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Nuttall%27s_Woodpecker
