This fine specimen of the Woodpecker is by far the most sociable
representative of the family in the United States, and it is no unusual
occurrence to see half a dozen or more in a single tree. It is also a
well disposed bird, and seldom quarrels or fights with its own kind, or
with smaller birds, but it attacks intruders on its winter stores with
such vigor and persistence that they are compelled to vacate the
premises in a hurry. Its manner of flight and call notes closely
resemble those of the Red-Headed Woodpecker, and, like it, it loves to
cling to some dead limb near the top of a tree and drum for hours at a
time. It is one of the most restless of birds, and never appears to be
at a loss for amusement, and no other bird belonging to this family
could possibly be more industrious.
During the Spring and Summer its food consists, to some extent, of
insects, including grasshoppers, ants, beetles, and flies--varied with
cherries, apples, figs, berries and green corn. Acorns form its
principal food during the greater portion of the year. Of these it
stores away large numbers in the thick bark of pines, in partly rotten
limbs of oak trees, telegraph poles, and fence posts. A writer in the
"Auk" says of its habits: "It is essentially a bird of the pines, only
occasionally descending to the cotton woods of low valleys. The oaks,
which are scattered through the lower pine zone, supply a large share of
its food. Its habit of hoarding food is well known, and these stores are
the source of unending quarrels with its numerous feathered enemies. I
have laid its supplies under contribution myself, when short of
provisions and lost from the command on which I had been traveling, by
filling my saddlebags with half-dried acorns from under the loose bark
of a dead pine."
The California Woodpecker is found in western Mexico, northern Lower
California, and north through California into western Oregon. So far as
is known the eastern limit of its range is the Santa Fe Mountains.
Its nest is usually from fifteen to twenty-five feet from the ground,
excavated on the side of a branch of a good sized oak or sycamore.
Breeding commences in April or May, according to locality. Both sexes
assist in the excavation. The entrance hole is about one and
three-fourths inches in diameter, perfectly circular, and is sometimes
chiseled through two or three inches of solid wood before the softer and
decayed core is reached. The inner cavity is greatly enlarged as it
descends, and varies from eight to twenty-four inches in depth. The eggs
rarely exceed four or five, and are pure white in color.
The most remarkable fact concerning this species is the peculiar manner
in which it stores acorns. The thick bark of large sugar and other pines
has been seen completely riddled with small holes. A section of a partly
decayed oak limb, three feet two inches long and five and one-half
inches in diameter, contained 255 holes. Each hole is intended to hold a
single acorn. The acorns fit quite accurately, are driven in point
foremost, and are not readily extracted. Sweet acorns are selected. To
get at their contents the acorns are carried to a convenient tree where
a limb has been broken off, driven into a suitable crevice, split open,
and the outer hull removed. Truly the California Woodpecker is no idler
or bungler, nor is he a free-booter, like the noisy, roystering Jay. He
makes an honest living, and provides for the evil day which comes alike
to man and beast.