Distribution Year-round range: West of the southern Cascade Mountains and in the Sierra Nevada from southern Oregon to northern Baja California, Mexico.   Breeding habitat Occurs in oak woodlands, live oak forests, and chaparral, and in canyons with sycamores, alders, cottonwoods, and bay trees growing along streams lined with live oaks. Requires snags and dead limbs for nest excavation. Frequents a mix of deciduous riparian and adjacent oak habitats.

Conservation status

This woodpecker is of moderate conservation importance, primarily because of its limited range, low overall density, and its association with intact oak and riparian forests. As a primary cavity nester, this species provides nest sites for many other species in these forests. Populations appear to be stable at present, and this species is common and somewhat tolerant of human activity.

Description

Male: Very similar to the Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Back and wings are barred black-and-white; outer tail spotted (rather than barred); undersides are white with spotted flanks. The red on the Nuttall’s head extends only to mid-crown (red extends to the forehead on the Ladder-backed). Nuttall’s show more black on the face and thicker black bars on the back and outer tail feathers than do Ladder-backed Woodpeckers.

Female: Same as adult male, except no red on crown.

Juvenile: Same as adults, except coloring on head is interspersed with white.

Vocalizations

Calls
Drum: Steady, medium speed, relatively long; noticeably longer and faster than Downy Woodpecker.

Contact call: Sharp, rising, two- or three- note pitik, occasionally a single-note pik; quality much like the Hairy Woodpecker.

Rattle call: Level and steady pitikikik.

Foraging strategy

Forages on the trunks and branches of oaks and other trees, creeping diagonally as they search in crevices and underneath bark; often hang upside down under limbs as they probe for insect prey. Males tend to work on the trunk and larger branches, whereas females use smaller branches. Pecks, probes, drills for sap, and gleans from trunks, branches, twigs and foliage; occasionally flycatches.

Diet

Primarily insects, such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, and bugs; also fruits, berries, poison oak seeds, nuts, and sap. Although Nuttall’s Woodpeckers forage preferentially in oaks, acorns make up only a small part of their diet.

Behavior and displays

• Defends immediate area around nest, especially from Ladder-backed and Downy woodpeckers.

• A small and retiring woodpecker, Nuttall’s is often hidden in foliage and may be heard before it is seen.

Courtship

• No information.

Nesting

Nest site: Excavates cavities in dead limbs and trunks of oak, willow, sycamore, cottonwood, elder, and alder trees located in riparian habitats. Requires snags and dead limbs for nest excavation.

Height: Ranges 3–65 feet (1–20 meters) above the ground.

Nest: Entrance hole 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter; cavity 7–10 inches (18–25 cm) deep, excavated mainly by male.

Eggs: 3–6, usually 4–5, white eggs are laid between late March and mid-June.

Incubation period: For 14 days the sexes alternate incubation during the day, males incubate at night.

Nestling period: Little information; young are tended by both parents.

Fledgling period: At 29 days the young leave the nest; young are able to fly at fledging.

Broods: Single brooded.

Cowbird Parasitism: No information.