Dryobates nuttallii

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Archosauromorpha
Cladus: Crurotarsi
Divisio: Archosauria
Cladus: Avemetatarsalia
Cladus: Ornithodira
Subtaxon: Dinosauromorpha
Cladus: Dinosauriformes
Cladus: Dracohors
Cladus: Dinosauria
Cladus: Saurischia
Cladus: Eusaurischia
Subordo: Theropoda
Cladus: Neotheropoda
Cladus: Averostra
Cladus: Tetanurae
Cladus: Avetheropoda
Cladus: Coelurosauria
Cladus: Tyrannoraptora
Cladus: Maniraptoromorpha
Cladus: Maniraptoriformes
Cladus: Maniraptora
Cladus: Pennaraptora
Cladus: Paraves
Cladus: Eumaniraptora
Cladus: Avialae
Infraclassis: Aves
Cladus: Avebrevicauda
Cladus: Pygostylia
Cladus: Ornithothoraces
Cladus: Ornithuromorpha
Cladus: Carinatae
Parvclassis: Neornithes
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Ordo: Piciformes

Familia: Picidae
Subfamilia: Picinae
Genus: Dryobates
Species: Dryobates nuttallii
Name

Dryobates nuttallii (Gambel, 1843)

[original combination: Picus nuttallii]
Synonyms

Dendrocopos nuttallii (Gambel, 1843)
Picoides nuttallii (Gambel, 1843)
References

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1 p. 259
Fuchs, J. & Pons, J-M. 2015. A new classification of the pied woodpeckers assemblage (Dendropicini, Picidae) based on a comprehensive multi-locus phylogeny. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 88: 28–37. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.03.016 ResearchGate Reference page.

Vernacular names
čeština: strakapoud kalifornský
dansk: Californisk Flagspætte
Deutsch: Nuttallspecht
English: Nuttall's Woodpecker
español: Pico de Nuttall
suomi: Kaliforniantikka
français: Pic de Nuttall
italiano: Picchio di Nuttall
日本語: シロハラシマアカゲラ, shiroharashimaakagera
Nederlands: Nuttalls Specht
norsk: Kaliforniaspett
polski: dzięcioł kalifornijski
русский: Нуталлов дятел
slovenčina: ďateľ Nuttallov
svenska: Chaparralspett
中文: 加州啄木鸟

Nuttall's woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii) is a species of woodpecker named after naturalist Thomas Nuttall in 1843. They are found in oak woodlands of California and are similar to the ladder-backed woodpecker in both genetics and appearance.[2]
Description

Nuttall's woodpecker has black wings and tail feathers with white barring. On the ventral surface, colour is white with black spots and barring. It has a black forehead with white streaks on the sides and an unbarred black region at the top of the back. Adult males have a distinguishable red crown which females do not. However, this physical feature is present in the juvenile of both sexes. They have zygodactyl feet and stiff tail feathers which allows them to maintain a vertical position on trees; typical of woodpeckers. The mass of the Nuttall's woodpecker ranges from 30 to 45 g (1.1 to 1.6 oz), with a body length of 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in).[3]
Taxonomy

The Nuttall's woodpecker is closely related to the ladder-backed woodpecker of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.[4][page needed][full citation needed] The Nuttall's likely evolved via allopatric speciation when the two species were separated into smaller ranges by dry climate during the Pleistocene glaciation.[4][page needed] Hybrids of the two species exist but are rare.[4][page needed]
Habitat and distribution

Nuttall's are a non-migratory species with a geographic range confined to northern California extending south towards the northwest region of Baja California, Mexico. Their preferred habitat is arid to mesic woodlands. In particular, these woodpeckers prefer oak woodlands, although they also occur in riparian sites and chaparral in the most southern parts of its range because of the decrease in oak abundance.[5] Individuals are found from sea level to 1,250 m (4,100 ft), rarely to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).[4][page needed] Although they have been found as far east as Central Wyoming.

The birds are not considered globally threatened although the range is restricted to the California Endemic Bird Area.[4][page needed] They are fairly common in California with a total world population estimated at over 100,000 individuals (density of about 20 birds per square kilometer in San Bernardino County).[4][page needed] Surveys suggest no obvious population trends.[4][page needed]
Behaviour
Vocalizations

Vocalizations performed by Nuttall's woodpecker are considered to be not of any harmonic. Some vocalizations have been described:

Call note: used between mated pairs to communicate their location to each other.
Double call: same function as call note can but also be used as a low threat alarm call.
Rattle call: used to establish territories when feeding
Kweek call: used between sexes mainly by female prior to copulation.

Both sexes drum. Rolls are relatively long, averaging over one second.[4][page needed]
Diet

Nuttall's woodpecker feeds primarily on insect larvae such as those of wood borers, click beetles, and ants, found by tapping and probing into the crevices in oak trees. The bird also feeds on sap from sap holes created by red-breasted sapsuckers in birch and willow, and consumes a variety of berry seeds.[6]
Reproduction
Male and chick in a nest

Pair bonding occurs in late January to March with egg-laying mostly in April and May. Nuttall's woodpeckers are socially monogamous and show displays of bi-parental care. New nests are excavated each year by males in the cavities of dead trees such as willow, oak, and alder. Clutch sizes range from three to six eggs with the male partner incubating the eggs at night and the female during the day. Incubation period can be up to 14 days. Fledglings are able to leave the nest around 29 days post hatch with parental care continuing for 14 days after that.
Additional images
Male in Sylmar, California, USA
References

BirdLife International (2016). "Dryobates nuttallii". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. IUCN: e.T22681149A92894366. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22681149A92894366.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
Lowther, Peter E. (2000). Nuttall's Woodpecker. Birds of North America Life Histories for the 21st Century No. 555. American Ornithologists' Union.
Miller, A.H.; C. Bock (May–June 1972). "Natural History of Nuttall Woodpecker at Hastings Reservation" (PDF). The Condor. 74 (3): 284–294. doi:10.2307/1366590. JSTOR 1366590.
del Hoyo, Elliott; Sargatal (1992). Handbook to Birds of the World. Vol. ?. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.
Block, William M. (April 1991). "Foraging ecology of Nuttall's Woodpecker". The Auk. 108 (2): 303–317. JSTOR 4087955.
Jenkins, J. M. (April 1979). "Foraging behavior of male and female Nuttall Woodpeckers Picoides nuttallii". The Auk (96): 418–420. JSTOR 4085326..