Adult and
larval beetles make up a large portion of the Nuttall's
woodpecker's diet. The Nuttall's Woodpecker also eats Poison oak
berries and other fruits and berries as well as sap.
Range of
the Nuttall's woodpecker
The
Nuttall's woodpecker occurs almost exclusively in western and
central California from Sonoma county into the Baja California.
The
Nuttall's woodpecker forages in Oaks
and other trees by flaking of bark and probing rather than
drilling.
Migratory
status of the Nuttall's woodpecker
The
Nuttall's woodpecker, as a rule is not migratory but some will
move upslope after breeding .
Habitat/Plant
community of the Nuttall's woodpecker
The
Nuttall's woodpecker prefers riparian and deciduous forest
habitats. This woodpecker prefers oak
woodlands for foraging and riparian plant communities for
nesting. Therefore it is found in the most abundance in the
ecotone where these to communities meet.
How to
attract Nuttall's woodpeckers to your garden
If you
live anywhere in western or central California you have a good
chance of attracting a Nuttall's woodpecker to your garden. In
your garden you need food and nesting sites. Cottonwood
and Sycamore
are excellent nest trees and quite attractive in a garden
setting. However, you also need dead wood for nesting sites. One
way to make an instant nest site is to put in a telephone pole.
Many
woodpecker species will drill their holes in telephone poles. If
you have a mature tree already in your garden do not remove
snags. This is an excellent nest location. As far as foraging
sites these trees afore mentioned will also give good foraging
locations. However, the Nuttall's woodpecker also eats fruits.
Poison oak is a favorite woodpecker plant. So unless you are
highly allergic to it, leave it in your garden. It is quite
attractive in the fall. If you do not like poison oak, most
people aren't too fond of it, you can plant Apple trees or any
tall fruit bearing plant.
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Diet
of the Nuttall's woodpecker
Community
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