Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) A resident of inland valleys in western North America, colonies of Acorn Woodpeckers store acorns in holes drilled for that purpose in nearby trees. If not enough suitable storage trees are available these woodpeckers will use wooden utility poles or the sides of buildings. Sunol and Sacramento County California

Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttalli) Common in the Central Valley of California, and seldom seen elsewhere. Sacramento County California

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) Sacramento County California

White-headed Woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus) A resident of the mountains of western North America, it is easy to find in Yosemite Valley and at the Yuba Pass campground on California Highway 49. Yuba Pass California

Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) Yuba Pass California

Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) Found in the western states and provinces of North America, from remote mountains to suburban yards, this woodpecker drills orderly rows of small holes in trees. Contra Costa County and Sacramento County California

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) Sacramento County and Lassen Volcanic National Park California

Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) Living in the southwestern desert, this woodpecker drills its nest holes in Saguaro cactus. southern Arizona

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) Lassen Volcanic National Park California

all photographs Copyright (C) Douglas Herr
last updated 22 June 2008

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