Melanerpes formicivorus (Acorn Woodpecker)
about the species
The acorn woodpecker breeds in the mountains and foothills in the western US with a disjunct population occurring throughout Mexico and Central America. The species range is closely tied to its food source – the iconic oak woodlands of California. The abundance of the Pacific Coast population of Acorn Woodpecker, which primarily consists of individuals in California, is known to correlate with oak diversity and abundance.
why species was selected
California oak woodlands with the highest species richness occur mostly on private and unprotected land, and oaks face threats from detrimental invasive species such as the fungus like pathogen Phytophthora ramorum and the goldspotted oak borer that can be exacerbated by drought; therefore, the Acorn Woodpecker may become a species of special concern in the near-future.
